Just after 5:00 pm on Monday, August 7th, 2023, I left my beautiful flower beds, freshly mowed lawn, and bountiful garden to wait out the coming storm in my basement.
I watched the wind and rain from our home's security cameras, several of which broke during the storm. One hand was resting on my dog while my daughter huddled in my lap. The other hand held my cell phone, with a customer on the line, narrating the damage happening outside his home.
"Is my son's playhouse covered?" he asked. "What about all these trees?"
In less than an hour, the storm did significant damage that will take days to recover from, and countless hours to clean up. Of course, there are unexpected expenses, too. To make matters worse, there's nothing we could have done to prevent this.
After the storm passed, we emerged to a different landscape. The tomato plants were gone, a whole field of sunflowers knocked down, and tree limbs scattered everywhere. At that moment, I felt many of the same feelings you experienced-some combination of grief, frustration, and stress. I'll admit I felt overwhelmed. "How are we going to deal with this?" I wondered.
Fortunately, the damage to my property was limited and my family was safe. Personally, there were some emotional losses, and the damage was only an inconvenience. Importantly, Keller-Brown Insurance Services was well-positioned to jump into action and handle the response from our customers. While many had no phones or internet, we began reporting at 8:00 am on Tuesday morning.
In times like these, people want and need help, and insurance is typically the first place to look.
As a neighbor, a parent, a friend, and a colleague, I want people to have coverage anytime a disaster strikes. As an insurance professional, I know that widespread events like floods, earthquakes, and war can result in limitations and exclusions.
In the wake of these storms, you may find that coverage for tree damage or food loss is limited or excluded from your policy. The reason is that for sweeping events like these storms, insurance companies limit their financial losses through exclusions and limitations because they can't feasibly cover everything.
When coverage is ambiguous, we advocate on your behalf. Although we can't always get a carrier to change their mind, we will go to bat for our clients. Unfortunately, our hands are tied when coverage is black and white. In this case, we leverage our reputation as a longtime local business to help clients find helpful resources. Whether that means contacting state senators for guidance or campaigning on your behalf to insurance carriers, we are tireless advocates for our clients.
The resources below will help you understand your insurance coverage, what to expect from the claims process, and more.
We'll continue updating this page with additional information and resources, so check back-and share it with anyone you know who might have questions.
Reporting your claim...
To your carrier
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Report it directly to your insurance company.
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Visit our Insurance Claims portal to find your carrier's website or phone number.
To Keller-Brown Insurance Services
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Call our office at 717-235-6891, and report the claim to an agent.
Dealing with storm damage? Explore these helpful resources...
Assessing the damage
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Take pictures before cleaning anything.
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Protect your property from further damage, such as hiring a restoration company or applying tarps to exposed areas.
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Keep receipts for anything you purchase.
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An appraiser or adjuster may visit the site to inspect, but this can take longer than usual during times of widespread damage.
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Expect to be asked for an itemized estimate, for labor and materials of any repairs.
Understanding insurance payments
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Claim checks are usually payable to you and any lienholders less your deductible.
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You may receive multiple payments for damages over $2,500.
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Actual Cash Value: The amount to replace or repair the damage is estimated and depreciation is applied.
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Replacement Value: When work is complete and certified, you receive a final payment.
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Tree damage
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For help understanding tree coverage: If a tree falls on your house, are you covered?
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If a tree falls and damages a structure, insurance generally covers the cost of removal and repairs.
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If a tree falls, but doesn't damage a structure, coverage for removal is often limited.
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No matter who owns the tree, if it lands on your property, you report the claim to your carrier.
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Beware of fraudulent contractors, also known as storm chasers
These fraudsters follow storms and frequently strike in places with widespread roof or siding damage. Beware of people going door-to-door offering their services with high-pressure sales tactics. They attempt to mislead property owners about damage, and may even create damage that wasn't there.
Report damages to the county
The storm has not been declared a disaster yet, but the county still needs to assess the extent of the damage. Reporting your damages to the county helps paint a clear picture of the extent of the storm and contributes to the decision of whether FEMA will provide relief. They may also be able to connect you to organizations that are able to provide relief. Report damages.
Above all, we're here to help
We know these moments are confusing and scary. You can rest assured the Keller-Brown Insurance Services team is here for you today, tomorrow, and however long it takes to get your life back to normal.