2 days ago
Tornado survivors struggle with insurance; DCI offers help
ST. LOUIS – Estimates show that most people in some areas hit by the May 16 tornado are uninsured or underinsured. Prince Carter filed an insurance claim quickly, but it has been a battle.
'I think they're trying to lowball the damage that was done to the property, and they don't want to pay. They want to fix half the room and not the whole roof,' he said.
Melvia Summer's home also took a hit with broken windows, a flooded basement and a damaged electric meter. It is covered by her insurance, but it still is not cheap.
'You have a $1,500 deductible so it's a lot,' she said.
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The Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys is set up at the disaster assistance center at Chaifetz Arena on St. Louis University's campus. Their first piece of advice is to make sure you have a copy of your policy.
Otherwise, it could take weeks to get it.
'You need to know what it says. They're not easy to read. Even as a lawyer, I do not like reading insurance policies. They're very difficult,' attorney Mike Schlueter said.
Summers is still nervous that she might get a condemned sticker on her door. FOX 2 asked experts if insurance should help cover temporary housing during home repairs.
Schlueter said it is very much on a case-by-case basis.
'I've seen very good insurance company behavior and I've seen some bad behavior from the insurance companies,' he said.
If someone is forced out of their home, FEMA will offer some people temporary housing grants thanks to the new disaster declaration.
People can apply for those and other FEMA assistance online or by calling 800-621-3362.
'There are a lot of resources, both state and not-for-profit organizations, that are lending information and lending resources,' said Jeana Thomas, Consumer Affairs Division director for the Missouri Dept. of Consumer and Insurance (DCI).
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DCI has these main tips for disaster recovery:
Reach out to DCI if you haven't heard from your insurance company
Beware of scams and full upfront payments
Get contractor recommendations from your insurance company
Report any suspected fraud
'We have to be wary of contractors or even make sure that the adjuster that shows up at your property is in fact with your insurance company,' Thomas said.
DCI estimates that 90% of renters and 67% of homeowners in some of the areas hit by the tornado are uninsured.
The state agency is also set up at the Disaster Assistance Center to help answer questions about insurance policies. It is a welcome resource for so many people who have never needed to file a claim before.
'Me, like other people, have never done anything like this before. So, I want to make sure that I exhaust all of my options to get assistance so that they'll treat me fairly,' Carter said.
People can find useful information on DCI's website here. To help St. Louis storm victims impacted by the May 16 tornado, visit here.
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