Catastrophe Center

When a major storm hits, it can leave you with many questions. Our online Catastrophe Center is designed to provide some guidance on your insurance policy in the aftermath of a tornado, wind-or-hail storm, or other catastrophic event.

For real-time updates on the work of our Catastrophe Team, follow Western National's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

What to do immediately after a storm:

1. Protect yourself and your family
    
- Keep calm, and stay in a safe place until the storm has ended.
- Check the people around you for injuries. Begin first aid or seek help if necessary.
- When you go outside, watch out for downed power lines.
 
2. Protect your property

- Make temporary repairs to prevent further loss from rain, wind or looting. These costs may be reimbursable, so keep the receipts.
- Keep receipts for additional living expenses such as temporary housing. These costs may be reimbursable, so keep the receipts.
- Make a detailed list of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Don't throw out damaged property until you have met with an adjuster.
- Check utility lines and appliances for damage. If you smell gas, open the windows and turn off the main valve. Don't turn on lights or appliances until the gas has dissipated. If electric wires are shorting out, turn off the power.
- Following a storm, there may be people going door-to-door asking to inspect your property for storm damage. We caution you not to sign any agreements prior to our Claim Representative's inspection of the property, as these agreements could bind you to uncovered repairs or to specific contractors.


3. Report your claim

Western National offers a number of easy ways for you to report your claim. A good first step is to report your claim directly to your Independent Insurance Agent, who can guide you through the reporting process. (You can use our Agent Locator to find your agent's phone number.)

If you are unable to report the claim to your agent, you can report it directly to Western National by mail, phone, fax, online form, or email.
 

The most-frequently-asked questions after a storm:

• My home sustained damage to its exterior due to a windstorm. What should I do until the Claims Representative arrives?
• Is there coverage for interior water damage to my home if it is the result of exterior damage caused by windstorm?
• Is there coverage for a flooded basement if the water enters through the sewer or sump pump system? What if the sump pump system fails due to a power outage?
• My home sustained windstorm or hail damage to the siding, roofing, or both. What happens if the same color or style of the siding, or roofing material, is no longer available?
• My tree fell on a neighbor’s home due to windstorm. Which policy pays for its removal: mine, or my neighbor's?

For more common questions and answers, click here.

Source: Western National Insurance Group and the Insurance Information Institute (iii.org)