Latest news with #RichJohnson
CBS News
17-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
North Texas homeowners urged to review insurance policies as severe weather drives up costs
With severe weather frequently impacting North Texas, homeowners often wonder: What does my insurance policy actually cover? Do I have the right coverage? What happens after filing a claim? Insurance expert Rich Johnson, communications director for the Insurance Council of Texas, advises homeowners to review their policy carefully, starting with the first few pages. CBS News Texas "The main thing to do is look at the first couple of pages of the policy," Johnson said. These pages typically outline wind and hail coverage, which may vary depending on location. Some homeowners may have a separate policy through the FAIR Plan or TWFG. Johnson emphasizes the importance of understanding deductibles, particularly for hail and wind damage, which differ from deductibles for fire or plumbing issues. "It's usually between 1% and 5% of the insured value of your home," he explained. If a home is damaged by severe weather, Johnson recommends taking photos and making temporary repairs before filing a claim. "Get that claim in as soon as possible so you're on the list for an adjuster to inspect your house," he said. When hiring contractors, Johnson advises homeowners to choose local businesses and seek recommendations from friends and neighbors to avoid scams. "A couple of red flags: if they're out of state, don't have a licensing number, or say they'll waive your deductible—that's actually illegal in Texas," he warned. Scammers should be reported to insurance providers, local police, and the Texas Department of Insurance, which handles fraud cases. Johnson also notes that inflation and frequent severe weather are driving up repair costs and insurance premiums, affecting both home and auto insurance. "We're seeing weather impact insurance rates more severely and more frequently," he said.
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
