Tornado Damage

If you have experienced tornado damage, take precautions by following the tips below, and call us at (800) 332-3226 to file a claim as soon as possible.

Tips for Immediate Action

• Make personal safety your first priority.
• Listen to the local radio for up-to-date information.
• Stay out of damaged buildings. If you’re in an evacuated area, don’t return to your home or business until local authorities report that it’s safe.
• Check for damage to gas, electric, or sewage systemswhen you are able to do safely.
• Don’t use damaged systems until professionals have checked them. If gas is leaking, turn it off at the main shut-off valve, leave the building immediately, and call a professional for service.
• Watch out for broken glass and sharp objects.
• If you must drive, use caution. Look out for downed wires and debris, and remember bridges and roads may be damaged.

Report Your Claim

Call (800) 332-3226 to file a claim if you have tornado damage. Be ready to provide at least a general description of your damage. A representative will walk you through your claim, recording the details.

A claims professional will call you after you’ve reported your claim. Most of the time, it will be within 72 hours. If you have serious damage, we will make every effort to get to you first.

Make Temporary Repairs

Once it is safe to do so, it is your responsibility to take action to avoid further damage.

Heavy rains often accompany tornados and wind storms. The longer your building is exposed to water, the more damage you’ll see to your roof, ceiling, walls, and floors—as well as any personal belongings or business inventory you have inside.

If you can, cover broken windows or holes in the roof with heavy-duty tarps or plywood to prevent additional water damage. Move wet items to drier ground. Wash and dry whatever you can.

If you’re not sure it’s safe, professionals can help. You’ll usually find them listed under "contractors" or "water damage restoration" in your phone directory. As part of documenting the damage, make sure to save receipts from any temporary fixes.

Review Your Insurance Policy

Check your policy to see what’s covered and the deductible you’ve chosen. Reviewing your policy will help you prepare questions for your claims professional.

Your insurance policy typically covers the cost to repair common tornado damage—including damage to roofs, walls, cars, and your inventory or belongings. However, your deductible does apply. You also may have a higher deductible for wind/hail damage that applies to tornados.

If you can’t live in your home, Safeco will pay additional living expenses, as noted in your policy, while the damage is assessed and your home is being repaired or rebuilt. If, for some reason, your repairs take longer than the period of time covered by your policy, youmay be eligible for additional assistance from federal emergency programs.

If damage to your business is extreme, review your property policy to determine your business income coverage. This typically covers the costs to replace lost profits, payroll, and operating expenses to help you get back in business. However, the coverage is optional and not all business owners choose to buy it.

Document Your Damage

As soon as you can, make a thorough list of items the tornado damaged—this will help us process your claim faster. Document the damage with photos, video, bills, and receipts. In the meantime, don’t throw out damaged items—especially expensive ones.

Your claims professional will advise you on the specific information we need from you to process your claim.

Schedule Permanent Repairs

Safeco requires you to wait until your claims professional assesses your damage before you begin making permanent repairs. However, we encourage you to schedule permanent repairs as soon as possible because contractors can be difficult to schedule after a tornado. Use a local, licensed, bonded, and insured contractor, and check references.

Understand Your Responsibility

Safeco will replace damaged items and materials with the same type and quality of materials you had before the tornado. For example, if you had a fiberglass roof, we will pay to repair or replace damage with fiberglass materials—but we won’t pay to replace it with more expensive slate tile.

If damage is extensive, people sometimes decide to take the opportunity to upgrade their property with better or more expensive materials. Again, Safeco will only pay to replace materials of comparable kind and quality. If you want to pay the additional expense to upgrade, you’re welcome to do so out of your personal budget.

Any time you make improvements to your property, talk to your agent to make sure you have enough insurance and to find out if you are eligible for discounts.

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