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 systems when you are able to do so safely.
• Don’t use damaged systems until professionals check 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. Provide at least a general description of your damage. A customer service representative will walk you through your claim, recording the details.

A claims representative 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

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

Heavy rains often accompany tornados and windstorms. The longer your home is exposed to water, the more damage you’ll see to your roof, ceiling, walls, and floors—as well as any personal belongings 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 aren't sure if your property is 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. Always use reputable contractors. Check their credentials.

Review Your Insurance Policy

Check your policy to see what’s covered and the deductible you chose when you purchased your policy. Review your policy to prepare questions for your claims representative.

Your insurance policy typically covers the cost to repair common tornado damage—including damage to roofs, walls, cars, and your personal belongings. Your deductible applies, and you may have a higher deductible for wind/hail damage than the deductible 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, you may be eligible for additional assistance from federal emergency programs.

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. Don’t throw out damaged items—especially expensive ones.

Your claims representative 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 representative assesses your damage before you begin making permanent repairs. We encourage you, however, 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 always 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. Safeco will pay only 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 local Safeco agent to make sure you have enough insurance and to find out if you are eligible for discounts.

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.

Download the printable version of this information.