Natural disaster claims

Your property insurance policy typically covers the cost to repair common hail damage to your roof, siding and personal belongings. You may have a higher deductible for wind and hail damage on your primary property policy than you do for other types of claims. Check your policy to see what’s covered and the deductible you’ve chosen. Your local independent agent can go over your policy details with you.

What to do after a hailstorm

• Make safety your first priority:
  Watch out for broken glass, sharp objects and exposed electrical wires. Wear proper shoes and gloves. Don’t use rain-soaked electrical equipment. Watch out for downed trees, power lines, and debris.
• Get in touch with Safeco:
  When it’s safe to do so, call us as soon as you can at 1-800-332-3226. Be prepared to provide at least a general description of your hail damage. Take photographs and videos of the hail damage if you can. It’s a great way to help us understand what happened and expedite the claims process.
• Safeguard your from further damage:
  A hailstorm may be accompanied by heavy rain and wind. 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.
• Hail damage to your house: Clean up any broken glass and remove debris. Board up broken windows and doors. Cover roof damage with tarps or plywood. Move any wet items to a dry location. If possible, place any damaged items in a safe, secure area where they can be inspected later. Save all receipts from any temporary repairs.
• Hail damage to your car:
  Cover any broken car windows with tarps or plastic sheeting. Move any wet items to a dry place. If possible, place any damaged items in a safe, secure area where they can be inspected at a later time.
• Repairing your home:
  Please wait until a claims adjustor assesses the hail damage to your home before starting permanent repairs. We encourage you, however, to schedule permanent repairs as soon as possible. Find a local, licensed, bonded, and insured contractor through our free Safeco Contractor Referral service.
• Get your car fixed:
  For information on repairing hail damage to the body or your car, visit our auto claims page. For hail damage to your windshield or other car windows, see Auto glass repair and replacement.
• Home improvements
  Safeco will replace damaged items and materials with the same type and quality of materials you had before the hailstorm. For example, if you had a fiberglass roof, we will pay to repair or replace the damaged area with fiberglass, but we won’t pay to replace it with more expensive slate tile.
  
  If you decide to upgrade your house with better or more expensive materials, you’re welcome to do so, but you’ll need to pay the additional expense out of your own pocket. Any time you make improvements to your property, be sure to talk to your local independent agent to find out if your coverage is still enough, and if you’re eligible for any discounts.

Winter weather brings snowstorms, biting wind, freezing rain, and icy conditions that can damage your home.

Frigid temperatures can cause pipes to freeze and burst. Heavy, wet snow can weigh down tree branches that break through electric lines and cause power outages. Your insurance policy typically helps cover the cost to repair common winter weather damage to your roof, plumbing, foundation, and personal belongings.

Log in and check your policy to see what’s covered and the deductible you’ve chosen. If you’re uncertain, ask your local independent agent to go over your policy details with you.

What to do after winter weather strikes

• Make safety your first priority:
  Don’t run a generator or barbecue grill indoors. Hazardous fumes and carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly. Don’t leave candles or a fireplace unattended and keep the area well ventilated.
• Get in touch with Safeco:
  When it’s safe to do so, call us as soon as you can at 1-800-332-3226. Be ready to provide the following: What happened? Where is the damaged property? How extensive is the damage? Are temporary repairs needed? What is your current contact information and the best time to reach you? Be prepared to provide as much detail as possible about the damage. If you take photos and video, they can help illustrate the damage and clarify what happened. They’ll also help move along the claims process. Owner’s manuals, serial numbers, and credit card statements can be used to document your personal belongings.

Repairing your home

• Water damage:
  If you’ve got seeping water or a burst pipe, you can use a water damage contractor of your choice to fix the damage. However we recommend using one of our preferred suppliers. Talk to your claims representative about which option is best for you and how to proceed.
• Roof and structural damage:
  Please wait until a claims adjustor assesses the damage to your home before starting permanent repairs. We encourage you, however, to schedule permanent repairs as soon as possible. Find a local, licensed, bonded and insured contractor through our free Safeco Contractor Referral service.

Though wildfires are more common in the western United States, almost every state has been effected by wildfires over time. Here’s how you can prepare yourself and your home before, during, and after a wildfire.

Before a wildfire

• Create a defensible space around your home of at least 30 feet.
• Plant fire-resistant plants and trees around your home to lower your risk.
• Remove – or maintain regularly – low-hanging tree branches.
• Keep your roof and yard clean, especially from dry yard debris such as leaves and dry grass.
• Stack wood piles or other burnable materials away from your home, or other buildings on your property — ideally at least 30 feet away.
• Keep signs and addresses visible from the road so firefighters can easily locate your property.
• Consider bringing in a professional to help you assess how fire-resistant your roof is.
• Recycle yard debris and branches, rather than burning it on your property (or elsewhere).

During a wildfire

• Keep an eye on the local news reports for evacuation procedures if there’s a wildfire near your property.
• Prepare for emergency evacuation. Turn off gas valves and pilot lights, close all windows and doors, and pack your car for a quick departure if it is still safe to do so.
• Only return to a burned area once local authorities have instructed you to.

After a wildfire

• Keep away from burned or smoke damaged buildings. If you plan to go inside, avoid breathing ashes and soot by covering your nose and mouth with a handkerchief or face mask.
• Wear skin-protective clothing, including sturdy shoes, long pants, long sleeve shirt, and gloves.
• Watch out for and avoid broken glass, sharp objects and exposed electrical wires.
• Watch, listen, or read the local news for up-to-date information.
• If you’ve been evacuated, don’t return home until local authorities say it’s safe for you to do so.
• Be sure to check your roof for burning embers upon arrival. Then inspect your entire property for signs of burning embers.
• If you can do so safely, put out any sparks or burning embers that you find.
• Call the fire department if necessary.

Review your homeowners policy with your local independent agent for detailed coverage explanations, and call 1-800-332-3226 to file a claim if you have experienced wildfire-related damage.

Catastrophes usually bring out the best in most people, but can also bring out the worst in a few others. The most common types of fraud that occur after a disaster involve unscrupulous building repair firms, price gouging, offers of debris removal, and fraudulent charitable solicitations. The following can help you avoid becoming a victim:

• Contact your agent or Safeco immediately.
  You will want your claim reviewed as soon as possible so that repairs can begin promptly. Also, your insurance coverage may provide for additional living expenses.
• Beware of high-pressure sales people.
  Don’t be rushed into signing a contract. Take the time to obtain written estimates from more than one contractor. Make sure to read the entire estimate or contract before you sign. Get everything the contractor discusses in writing. If there are changes or modifications in the contract, they should be acknowledged by all parties in writing. Never sign a contract with blanks that have not been filled in.
• Do not make large down payments.
  Unscrupulous vendors could disappear after receiving the down payment or after performing limited work. Federal law also requires a three day "cooling off" period for unsolicited door to door sales of more than $25. Verify all licensing concerning those individuals or companies that you are considering hiring. Check with your state's Better Business Bureau or Contractor's Licensing Board for more information.
• Deal only with licensed contractors.
  Ask to see the contractor's license and other identification. If the person claims to be representing a contractor, but can't show you a contractor's license, call the contractor and find out if the person is authorized to act on the contractor's behalf.
  
  Only do business with a contractor who carries appropriate insurance coverage. If the contractor is not insured, you may be liable for accidents that occur on your property.
  
  Ask the contractor if he/she carries general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Request a certificate of insurance (COI) from the contractor that shows the name of the insurance company, policy number and policy limits the contractor carries.

If you believe you have been victimized by building repair firms or you have knowledge of suspected insurance fraud, contact: Safeco Special Investigation Unit: 1-855-817-7323 National Insurance Crime Bureau: 1-800-TEL-NICB (1-800-835-6422)