Are You Covered for Storm Damage?

Now it's time for the cleanup.

As Tropical Storm Irene continues to blow northward, homeowners and personal property owners in Virginia are left surveying the damage left in her wake.

Whether your insurance will pay for repairs all depends on your coverage. The Virginia Bureau of Insurance lists the following tips following the storm:

• Call your insurance company as soon as possible to report a claim. If you don't know how to contact your insurance company, call the Bureau of Insurance at (804) 371-9741 or toll-free 1-800-552-7945, or you can contact the Bureau at bureauofinsurance@scc.virginia.gov.
• Be persistent and patient. Insurance companies will be experiencing high call volumes following this storm.
• Document home and property damage. Take photographs, record videos, and prepare an inventory of damaged property and its estimated value. Look for original receipts on items that are now damaged, and include that with your inventory.
• Mitigate damage. Take whatever steps you can now to prevent further loss until an inspector can come out to assess the damage and determine coverage. If your car windshield is broken, cover with plastic and duct tape to keep water out. Use tarp and plywood to prevent further damage to a structure.
• For more information and tips, read the Bureau of Insurance's "When Disaster Strikes: What to do after an insured homeowner's loss."