Tornado Resources
Important Contact Information:
§
§ Weld Food Bank
§ American Red Cross Shelter
§ The United Way of Larimer
§ Farmers Insurance
1.800.HELPPOINT (1.800.435.7768)
§ All-Sate Insurance
1.800.54-STORM (1.800.547.8676)
Insurance Tips if You Have Damage from Tornado
§ Contact your insurance carrier: The sooner you talk to your insurance agent, the sooner your claim will be filed and an adjuster will inspect your damage. The amount of potential coverage for your loss depends on your policy, but even if you don't have full coverage, your agent may be able to give you advice on where to get help with repairs.
§ BE CAREFUL. There may be downed electrical lines, unstable structures, broken glass, open and spilled hazardous substances, and other dangers.
§ Get a claim number from the insurance company and adjuster, and use the claim number in all communications.
§ Promptly inspect property and thoroughly support your claim with documentation. Take photographs, and also keep file copies of everything you send to insurer.
§ Protect your property immediately against further damage and theft. Use plywood, tarps or other materials to cover broken windows and damaged rooftops. Keep the receipts of any materials/services that you purchase to make these repairs so your adjuster can review them and reimburse you for expenses covered by your policy.
§ If not absolutely necessary to preserve other property, try to leave things in their current sate to allow the insurance company to inspect and document.
§ Try to locate, preserve and send copies of receipts or other proof to demonstrate the precise value of property (e.g. Sony 40 inch plasma TV purchased in 2007 versus "TV")
§ Keep receipts for hotel and meal expenses, which may be reimbursable depending on your insurance policy
§ Assess roof damage: If your roof has suffered structural damage from the tornado, and you must make temporary repairs before an insurance adjuster's visit, take photographs or make a videotape of damage. You will need good records for insurance claims, applications for disaster assistance and income tax deductions.
§ Swimming pools: Clean your pool and lower it to its proper level. Call gas company or pool company to reattach gas line to heater if necessary. Don't reconnect electrical equipment until debris is removed and power restored. Super-chlorinate. Make sure timers are reset. Balance chemicals. When draining pool, remove cartridge filter or bypass filter system. Call your swimming pool contractor for other tips.
§ Check whether you can get emergency advance payments: If you have a covered loss and need emergency funds, some policies may provide an advance. This would then be applied to your final claim settlement.
§ Call us with questions. Ask for "HindmanSanchez disaster assistance volunteers".
Additional Resources:
§ The
§ The Cheyenne VA Medical Center and its clinics in
§ For those looking to find out about the welfare of loved ones impacted by the northeastern Colorado tornadoes, the American Red Cross offers the “Safe and Well” website (https://disastersafe.redcross.org/). “Safe and Well” is a registration and search site where victims of disasters like the tornadoes can visit to register themselves as safe and well. Loved ones outside the area can search the site for information on their loved ones. The Safe and Well service is available in English and Spanish.
For other questions relating to the American Red Cross they can be contacted at
§ The Humane Society is setting up a processing center at the
§ Qwest customers in
