Is the storm over?

As you sit under your home, the few minutes a storm hits can be the longest of your life. You hear the heavy downpour on your roof. Before you wonder when, you see drops of water coming into your house and you start collecting those with buckets. As you go out to empty them, you see how set your eyes to your heavily dented can with broken windows. You then wonder when this storm will be over.

The sad reality is that without adequate insurance cover, the stress of repairing your damaged assets may just be like another unending storm. Searching for quotations, qualified contractors, the best car repairers, alternative transport and accommodation may live your tired and frustrated.

Herein is some information that can help a bit;

1. How do I know that my damaged assets are covered or can be insured? Generally, all damages resulting from heavy rains and storm are covered in your comprehensive motor insurance and house insurance. Damages not covered will normally be listed in your policy document. Whether your insured car was on the road or parked, the repair costs will be covered. It is best to enquire from your broker or agent or just call ESRIC to learn the extent of the cover.
2. What do I do when my car or house is damaged by the storm? During the storm, do your utmost best to minimize the extent of the damage by finding the closest shelter where possible. This will reduce the cost of the total damage, repair speed and applicable excesses on your claim. After the storm, notify your insurer as soon as possible, not more than 14 days after the occurrence of the damage.
3. Can I drive my car, if it’s drivable or it remains grounded? You can drive your car around, especially if you need to take it to repairers for quotations. Care should be taken that the damage is not extended as coursed by driving the car around.
4. When is the best time to contact the insurer if my car is damaged? Call your broker or insurer as soon as possible. This will help start your claim process immediately and have an assessor assigned to your claim quickly. A quick submission of the claim is essential more so after storms since the insurer would normally be dealing with an increased number of claims thus turnaround times may be extended.
5. What if the damage to my insured car is a small cost that I can afford it, should I go ahead and fix it?  For damages that you can repair, it is normally best to pay costs yourself. This will protect no claim bonus points and ensure that your claims history is clean. That being said, it is essential to report and quote the damage even if you intend to fix it yourself. This will ensure that if there is a more costly subsequent damage that was never seen at the first claim as a result of the current damage, your insurer can consider that claim. 
6. Do I choose my own repairers or I should wait for the ones to be provided by the insurer? ESRIC has a list of recommended repairers which you can choose from. Nonetheless, a quote from reputable repairers that you may choose will be acceptable at ESRIC.
7. What if I don’t have excess immediately, do I have to wait to report until I can pay the excess? Payment of excess is usually required later on the claims process. We encourage clients to submit their claims and have the claims process resume immediately whilst they negotiate the excess payment terms.
8. What if it is only the windscreen and back windows that are damaged, what happens? With the comprehensive private motor insurance, damage to permanent glass is covered subject to applicable excess. If your insured car is not on zero excess, you will only pay the 10% excess on the cost.  

Having the right comprehensive insurance cover is essential to give you total peace of mind when storms come. ESRIC gives you just that. Call us.