Frequently Asked Questions regarding damages caused by Hurricane Florence:
Q: When will I hear from an adjuster and when will an adjuster be at my home to inspect my damages?
A: We are assigning claims to adjuster’s for inspection as quickly as we can do so. The impact of Hurricane Florence has been generally concentrated in the southeastern portion of the state and has created a very large number of claims (affecting people just as yourself—including many of the adjusters we use) and a shortage of adjusters. Adjusters are being brought into the location from across the nation to provide assistance to NC Grange Mutual and to many other insurers with affected customers.
Q: What is my Deductible?
A: Please check your policy declarations page to find your deductible. However, for a substantial majority of our policyholders, the deductible is $1000.00. Yours may be different. An explanatory illustration of your declarations page, including where the deductible is listed, is found at the end of these Frequently Asked Questions. Scroll to the bottom to see.
Q: I have experienced water damage due to water runoff from the ground. Is the resulting damage covered?
A: No. Damage resulting from water that has run off from the surface of the ground is not covered. This is commonly referred to as the flood exclusion.
Q: When will someone from the insurance company come get the tree of my roof?
A: The insurance company does not get the tree off your roof. As a policyholder – and as a prudent property owner – you should take what precautions you reasonably can to protect your property from further damage. That may include consulting with a tree service to get a tree off your roof. Remember to keep any receipts to provide to the adjuster when he or she is there to inspect your loss.
Q: I am concerned about mold. Can I clean my property up to help prevent it from growing?
A: Yes. Take photographs of the damage. But, if you are able to clean up to prevent further damage, do so. And, remember, mold coverage is capped at $5,000.00.
Q: My tree fell on my neighbor’s fence. Is that covered by my policy?
A: No. So long as you were not negligent in allowing the tree to fall, your neighbor’s policy should cover their damages. Having an otherwise healthy tree that falls because of hurricane-force winds is not negligent.
Q: I have trees leaning in my yard now as a result of the hurricane. Does my policy pay to have those cut down?
A: No. Coverage exists for trees that fall and cause damage to covered structures. No coverage exists for leaning trees nor for trees that simply fall in your yard without damaging any covered structure.
Q: I was evacuated as a result of flooding from Hurricane Florence. Is my hotel expense and food covered as a result of the evacuation order?
A: No. Coverage for Additional Living Expenses, Coverage D under the policy, is applicable when your residence is made unfit for use as a residence as a result of a covered peril. An evacuation order resulting from flooding – remember, flood is excluded under the policy -- or threat of flooding does not activate Coverage D.
Q: Widespread power outage has left me with no air conditioning. Are a hotel room or meals out covered under Coverage D, Additional Living Costs, under those circumstances?
A: No. While most of us usually enjoy the comfort of modern air conditioning in our homes, lack of air conditioning does not make a residence unfit for use activating the need for Additional Living Costs coverage.
Q: Power was out at my home as a result of Hurricane Florence and my refrigerated food spoiled. Does my policy cover that loss?
A: Check your declarations page. Coverage for food spoilage as a result of a power outage is provided under the terms of endorsement HO 0155 01 05. If this endorsement is present, your food spoilage loss is covered. This endorsement has a low limit and a special $100.00 deductible. If this is your only loss, please provide a list of your claimed food and its value by emailing our claims department. In the subject line, please identify your policy number and state FOOD LOSS.
