Great Lakes Wire

With the spring season upon us, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is reminding residents that being prepared for storms helps mitigate any potential storm-related damage.

In the event of severe property damage due to severe weather, Michiganders should check with their insurance companies, DIFS reported in a release. Keeping policy numbers along with other relevant information handy will make filing the claim a smoother experience. To help organize interactions with insurance companies, DIFS has provided a tracking sheet on their site.

"Being prepared can make all the difference during a weather emergency," said DIFS Director Anita Fox. "Preparing for severe weather events should always include verifying that you have the proper insurance coverage before weather-related damages occur. One way to accomplish that is by reading through your policies and discussing your coverage needs with your insurance agent or company."

To prepare for weather emergencies, residents should check that they have adequate insurance coverage, such as often omitted flood insurance, DIFS reported. Michiganders should also maintain lists of their items, along with pictures them, and keep those lists in a safe place.

"Make a list of important phone numbers including family members, emergency responders, insurance agents and insurance companies," DIFS reported. "Store copies of all insurance policy declaration pages and insurance cards in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box or online securely in a digital format, such as in the cloud in case the originals are destroyed or lost."

While residents should mitigate further damage to their property, they should not repair the damage until their insurance companies have examined their claims, DIFS reported. Residents should safeguard any receipts for supplies they purchase and document damage through photos and video.

"If there is water damage, you should tell your insurance company that there is water damage and you are looking to determine what coverage is available," DIFS reported. "Water damage is not necessarily the same as flood damage, so consumers should not simply state that the damage is due to a 'flood.' There may be additional causes for water damage, such as a sewer backup or failing sump pump, that may be covered under the policy."

It's worth noting that scam artists can try to con people out of money by offering to fix any damages, but people can protect themselves by examining whether the contractor is legitimate, DIFS reported. Those who suspect they the victim of a scam can get in touch with Michigan's attorney general at 877-765-8388 or visit their website.