Press Release September 17, 2003 District Insurance Department Issues Information to Consumers in Response to Hurricane Isabel Frequently Asked Questions about Insurance Coverage for Storm Damage The Department of Insurance and Securities Regulation is issuing the following frequently asked questions and answers in anticipation of Hurricane Isabel. Does my homeowners' insurance policy cover flood damage? What should I do if my home is damaged from a windstorm? What if my home is too damaged to live in? What about damage from fallen trees, is that covered? I lost food in my refrigerator when my power went out. Is replacement covered? What should I do if they can't reach my agent? Does my homeowners' insurance policy cover flood damage? Most homeowners' insurance policies cover damage from falling water or rain blown by the wind, but not from rising water or flooding. In most cases you must have an additional flood endorsement on your homeowners' policy to cover damage from rising water or flooding. What should I do if my home is damaged from a windstorm? Contact your insurance agent as quickly as possible and ask for instructions on what to do until your adjuster arrives. Begin preparing an inventory of personal property damaged or destroyed and take pictures of the damaged property. Protect your property from further damage. Your reasonable expenses to protect your property are part of the loss and are generally reimbursed by insurance companies. Keep all receipts. Do not have permanent repairs made until your insurance company has inspected the property and you have reached an agreement on the cost of repairs. What if my home is too damaged to live in? If necessary, rent temporary shelter. If your home is uninhabitable because of physical damage, most homeowners' policies will pay additional living expenses while your property is being repaired. Lack of power or water is not considered physical damage and, therefore, additional living expenses will not be covered. Before renting temporary shelter, check with your insurance company or agent to determine what expenses will be reimbursed. What about damage from fallen trees, is that covered? Damage to your home from fallen trees is covered under most homeowners' policies. Most companies will pay to have trees removed from the damaged structure, such as your home, garage or fence, as well as off the residence The policy does not cover the removal of trees unless the tree damaged a covered property. Damage to your parked vehicle from a fallen tree is covered under your comprehensive automobile insurance. I lost food in my refrigerator when my power went out. Is replacement covered? Most homeowners' policies cover food, which spoils due to power loss only if the individual feeder line to your home is down, not in instances of widespread power failure. However, you can be covered in the event of widespread power failure if you purchased a "Refrigerated Property Coverage" endorsement. This endorsement allows up to $500 in coverage with a $100 deductible. What should I do if they can't reach my agent? Contact the District of Columbia Department of Insurance and Securities Regulation on (202) 727-8000, and ask to speak to one of our Consumer and Professional Services Division. We will assist you in locating your agent, the toll-free number of your insurance carrier, or an insurance adjuster.