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Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Homeowner in NW Houston shares harrowing moments when tree fell during Monday nights storms.
The Brief Ms. Penny, the homeowner, says she was asleep when a tree fell on her home during Monday night's storms. She says the tree partially came through her roof, and now she is working with insurance to start a claim. Richard Johnson, Director of Communications with the Insurance Council of Texas, discusses how homeowners should prepare ahead of the Hurricane season. HOUSTON - A northwest Houston homeowner is speaking with us about the storms Monday night that left a tree on top of her home. The homeowner, who wants to be known as Ms. Penny, tells FOX 26 she is still in shock. The backstory "It's still mind-boggling, mind-blowing and, of course, it's raining and, around midnight, I heard this extremely loud boom, but I assumed it was a transformer or something. Then seconds later, my daughter ran downstairs, and she was like, mom, the roof collapsed," said Ms. Penny. "So I went to the stairs. When you look straight up the stairs, the ceiling is still intact, but as I got up the stairs, I could see to the right, which is the game room. My grandson plays his PlayStation there." Thankfully, he was not sitting there, she says. She called 911 and officials came who told her it was not safe to stay Monday night, so she reached out to her insurance. "This is one of those times where an automated system did not work. I needed a live person to talk to because me and my family was displaced last night," said Ms. Penny. "So for this to happen and to be in the house and to live that, yeah, that was definitely an experience. I am still shaken. Ms. Penny said she has been in the home for three years, and she thought about cutting down her pine trees, but after this storm she says she is getting rid of all of them. The tree that fell on her roof was taken down just after 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Why you should care Richard Johnson, Director of Communications Insurance Council of Texas spoke with us about what you need to know. "The first thing is to go ahead and check your insurance policies, make sure that everything is up-to-date, check your deductibles, make sure that you can afford them, make sure you have the right coverage," said Richard Johnson, Director of Communications, Insurance Council of Texas. Johnson adds that Houstonians need to look into getting flood insurance, but also start doing a home inventory. That means taking pictures of your belongings and keeping a record of them should the worst happen. So, for wind insurance, do you need a TWA policy, which is the Texas Wind Association, or a Fair Plan Policy. Right now in the Houston area and along the coast, you may need that other policy for wind and hail coverage. If you don't, and if it's your typical homeowners' policy, ask about your deductible. You might have a different deductible for fire than you do for wind and hail," Johnson added. Johnson adds if you find yourself in a situation like this homeowner, and you need a contractor, be careful because contractors use opportunities like this to prey on homeowners. "Sometimes, deals could be too good to be true. Get with friends, family and roofers to ask for recommendations and if they ask you or tell you they can wave your deductible, that is a huge red flag. It's something that we can't do in Texas, so if somebody starts talking to you like that, you should move onto the next contractor," Johnson said. The Source FOX 26 Reporter Leslie DelasBour spoke with the homeowner about the incident.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Texas weather: How to file insurance claims after severe weather damage
The Brief As we enter May, severe storms are now heading into Central Texas Texans may have some weather damage this month If you are filing an insurance claim, here is what you should do TEXAS - As storms come through Central Texas, you may have some weather damage. If you're filing an insurance claim, be sure you are safe first, then document everything. What they're saying "If there are other claims, it might be busy, but you want to get there as soon as possible. Then make any kind of small repairs," Rich Johnson, director of communications and public affairs at the Insurance Council of Texas, said. You can report damage online to help emergency management teams track damage. You can also sign up for emergency alerts here. If you do need repairs, beware of red flags from contractors. "When we see storms like this, we see a lot of fraudulent contractors coming from in and out of town, so you just want to watch those things," Johnson said. Check to make sure they're insured and bonded. It doesn't hurt to get a couple of cost estimates. "You want to get somebody who is recommended by friends and family, they have a good rating online, they have good reviews, somebody that's trusted, somebody that's local," Johnson said. "If they start asking saying, 'hey, you know, we'll waive your deductible. You don't have to pay your deductible. Don't worry about that.' That is a huge red flag." Whether it's tornado damage or hail, it's the same insurance process. Remember flood insurance is not in your homeowners' policy. It has to be bought separately. With another round of rain expected Friday evening, watch for water on the roads and low water crossings. Turn around, don't drown. No matter where you are, be prepared to protect your home this storm season. Johnson says about 60 percent of flooded homes happen in non-flood zones. "We may see more rain, flooding, wind, and hail over the next couple of months. This is a really good time to look at your insurance policies and take a home inventory," he said. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Angela Shen and previous coverage
