Preparing For Tropical Storm Don
AUSTIN, Texas (July 29, 2011) - State Farm agents and claims professionals are prepared to respond to customers' needs following Tropical Storm Don as it approaches the Texas Coast.
While our state does need the rain, our greatest concern is for the safety of everyone who will be affected by this storm. Here are general tips and information to review in preparation for the storm and any resulting damage:
Before the Storm Hits
- Discuss an escape plan with your family. Make sure every member of your household knows the steps to take when a storm is approaching.
- Put together a disaster survival kit with basics such as water, food, first aid supplies, prescriptions, and insurance and other important financial documents.
- Fill your vehicle fuel tanks.
- Listen to local authorities and evacuate if ordered to do so. Designate an out-of-town friend or relative as a family contact.
- Secure your property: anchor garage doors, close window shutters, garage vehicles you plan to leave behind and secure garbage cans. Lock doors and windows if you leave.
Immediately After the Storm
- Make emergency repairs to prevent further damage and remember to save all receipts.
- Cover leaky roofs with tarps or plastic sheeting
- Board up openings in damaged windows and exterior walls
- Use a wet vac to remove water from carpets and furniture
- Document time spent cleaning up and mitigating damages, such as the number of hours.
- Create a list of contents that have been damaged including quantity, description and age
- Secure replacement costs/estimates from local retailers of like kind, quality and features
- Secure statements from vendors on those items that cannot be repaired
- Do not dispose of any damaged contents until authorized by your agent or claim representative
- Take photos of damaged property
- Contact only licensed vendors for repair estimates
- Have estimates signed by the vendor and approved by an adjuster before having major damage repaired
State Farm policyholders who are impacted by Tropical Storm Don and need to report a claim should use one of the following options:
- Contact your State Farm agent
- Call 1-800 SF CLAIM (1-800-732-5246)
- Report your claim online at Statefarm.com
About State Farm®
State Farm insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in Canada. Our 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts - more than 78 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 37 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca®.
