Be Prepared for Winter Weather

It seems fall has only begun, but winter weather will be here before we know it. Here in Minnesota, we get our fair share of frigid temperatures, blustery wind and snow. It is important for you and your family to be prepared in case there is a winter weather emergency. If your home is damaged as a result of winter weather, you can contact us for help with insurance claims management in the Twin Cities.

Before that happens, we want to go over a few things to help you prepare for winter weather. One of the most important things to know is the difference between a winter storm outlook, advisory, watch and warning.

Outlook: Winter storm conditions are possible within the next two to five days.

Advisory: Winter weather is expected and it will most likely cause inconveniences or hazards for traveling. You are advised to take caution.

Watch: There is a good chance winter storm conditions will occur within the next 36 to 48 hours. You should stay updated on weather conditions and be prepared for the possibility of a storm.

Warning: Severe and life-threatening weather conditions are already happening or will begin in the next 24 hours.

To be prepared for a winter storm, you should have a fully stocked emergency kit in your home. This kit should include items like batteries, a battery-powered radio, flashlights, candles, matches, bottled water, nonperishable food, sand or kitty litter, extra blankets and jackets. You should also have a first aid kit as well as extras of any necessary medication.

Have a plan for what to do if a winter storm strikes, and make sure everyone in the family understands the plan. If your family members are not all home during the storm, be sure everyone knows how to get in touch.

Try not to get caught in the storm. Watch the weather and avoid traveling if possible when the forecast is predicted to get bad.

Once the storm is over and you know all your family is safe, be sure to check your home and property for any damage. If you do have damage, contact us for our insurance claims management service to help you through the claims process.

For more information about insurance claims management in the Twin Cities and other services we offer, call Norcia Insurance Consultants at 866-512-LOSS (5677), or you can contact us to set up a Free Consultation.

What to Look for When Hiring an Insurance Adjuster

After some type of disaster or weather event damages your home, you are probably feeling quite stressed out and anxious. Filing an insurance claim with your insurance company can be confusing, especially if you have never done it before. There are a ton of forms and other paperwork to fill out. And it’s even worse if you are already feeling overwhelmed because of the weather event and the damage to your home! We are an insurance adjuster in the Twin Cities, and we have a few tips on what you should look for when you are hiring an insurance adjuster.

The first thing you need to look into is the insurance adjuster’s license. Is the adjuster licensed to work in your state? Get a license number and make sure you verify it with your state department of licensing. Sometimes if the insurance adjuster works for a specific company, they will practice under that license. Either way, get that number and check to make sure it is legit.

You should also ask for some references from the insurance adjuster. Call a few of them and ask about the experiences they had with the adjuster. You should also ask the insurance adjuster a few questions too. For example, how many claims have they handled for other customers? How much experience do they have?

Of course, you should always check on the fees too. How much of the insurance claim money will you owe to the insurance adjuster after the claims process is finished? Make sure you fully understand the adjuster’s fees and how they will be collected from you. And be sure you get everything in writing, just in case.

Last but not least, listen to your gut instinct. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Make sure you get along with your insurance adjuster and that your personalities mesh well, considering you will be working closely with this person for at least a few months until the claims process is finally over.

You should call us any time you need an insurance adjuster! We are fully licensed and experienced, and we do our best to treat our clients with the utmost care and attention to detail.

Would you like more information on how to hire an insurance adjuster in the Twin Cities and the surrounding areas? Call Norcia Insurance Consultants at 1-866-512-LOSS (5677) or 952-892-7831, or you can contact us to set up a Free Consultation.