What To Do After the Storm?
State Farm has been monitoring Sandy closely and we will have claim representatives on the ground as soon as it is safe to do so. We have opened our weather call center and will be making contact with our customers who have reported damage.
If you have damage to your home or car:
- Call your insurance company right away. State Farm customers can call 1-800-SFCLAIM (800-732-5246), file a claim on Pocket Agent for Android or iPhone, or go to www.statefarm.com and file online
- If it is safe to do so, make any temporary repairs to prevent further damage such as tarping a roof, covering broken windows with plywood or tarps, etc.
- Save any receipts for supplies bought for repairs, you could be reimbursed.
Tips for motorists with vehicle damage:
- Take steps to prevent further damage.
- If your engine was under water, do not start the vehicle. If your vehicle was flooded, take steps to extract the water and start the drying process.
- Have your vehicle title and registration available when meeting with your agent or claim representative.
- If necessary, have the vehicle towed or make temporary repairs, saving all receipts. Provide the name, phone number and location of the towing facility and give the towing facility permission for your insurance representative to move the vehicle to a central facility.
- Since personal safety is State Farm's top priority, we urge our policyholders NOT to drive vehicles damaged by floodwater. Vehicles should not be started until they have been thoroughly inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician.
- It is easy to see how floodwater damages a car’s upholstery and carpeting, but it is difficult to see where the most severe damage occurs – under the hood or behind the dash. A car’s engine, transmission, and electrical components are some of its parts that are most vulnerable to flood water.
Tips for homeowners with damage:
- Begin to make temporary repairs to prevent further damage to your home or property. Keep a record of time spent and all receipts for work done on your property.
- Take pictures of the damaged property. Keep notes and use inventory lists to help adjusters assess the damages.
- Remove tree debris from the structure and place it on the ground.
- If your power is out, unplug any small electrical items to prevent electrical spike damage.
- Secure replacement costs/estimates from local retailers of like kind, quality and features. Obtain statements from vendors on items that cannot be repaired.
- Do not dispose of any damaged contents until authorized by your agent or claim representative.
- Contact licensed vendors for repair estimates. Have estimates signed by the vendor and approved by your adjuster or agent before having major damage repaired.
Power Outage Tips
- Never use candles for emergency lighting, use flashlights.
- Turn off or disconnect any appliances, equipment or electronics that were on when the power went out. When power comes back on, it may come back with momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can damage equipment such as computers and motors in appliances like the air conditioner, refrigerator, washer or furnace. Leave one light on so you know when the power returns.
- Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer. This will help keep your food as fresh as possible. If you must eat food that was refrigerated or frozen, check it carefully for signs of spoilage.
- Use generators safely. If you have a portable generator, only run it outdoors with adequate ventilation. Never use a generator indoors or in attached garages. The exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide which can be deadly if inhaled.
- Listen to the radio for updates.
- Do not refreeze any dairy products, seafood or food that has thawed completely. If in doubt, throw it out. Immediately throw out any food with a strange color or odor.
Contact
Dave Phillips, State Farm Public Affairs, (610) 358-7667.
About State Farm®
State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts - more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 43 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca.
