- Call Pacific Specialty Insurance Company at 1-800-962-1172; or
- Contact your insurance agent; or
- Report a claim online at www.psic-onespot.com
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Tips for Immediate Action
- Make personal safety your first priority.
- Listen to the local radio for up-to-date information.
If you're in an evacuated area, return to your home when local authorities
report that it's safe.
- Drive only if it's absolutely necessary and avoid flooded streets. Roads may be
washed out, and wet roads can hide downed electrical lines or underlying currents
that can carry your vehicle away.
- Check first for damage to gas, electric, or sewage systems when you are able to do so safely.
- Don't use damaged systems until professionals have checked them. If gas is leaking, turn it off
at the main shut-off valve, leave the building immediately, and call a professional for service.
- Watch out for broken glass and sharp objects, wet electrical systems, live wires—even snakes or
animals that may have taken refuge in your home.
- If your power has been disrupted, don't leave candles or your fireplace unattended and keep the area
well ventilated to avoid hazardous fumes or carbon-monoxide poisoning. If you decide to use a generator,
read the instructions carefully, and don't run it indoors. If you use a generator improperly, you could
cause a serious fire.
Report your claim
Call (800) 962-1172 to file a claim if you have hurricane damage. Be ready to provide at least a general description of your damage.
One of our Claims Professionals will be available to personally walk you through your claim, recording all the necessary details and
providing immediate assistance.
To help you during this time, our Claims Department will be open with extended hours, as follows:
| Monday - Friday: |
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. PST
(10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. CDT)
|
Of course, our emergency hotline (1-650-642-7233) is available after posted hours.
Make Temporary Repairs
- Once it is safe to do so, you need to take all reasonable precautions to protect your property from further damage. This is a general
requirement of all insurance policies.
- Water is a major cause of damage after hurricanes. The longer your building is exposed to water, the more damage you'll see to your roof,
ceiling, walls, and floors-as well as any personal belongings.
- Ventilate your home by opening windows and doors to help dry it out. If you can, cover broken windows and holes in the roof with
heavy-duty tarps or plywood to prevent additional damage from rain. Move wet items to drier ground. Wash and dry whatever you can.
- If you're not sure its safe, professionals can help. You'll usually find them listed under "contractors" or "water damage restoration"
in your phone directory. As part of documenting the damage, make sure to save receipts from any temporary fixes.
Review your Policy
- Check your policy to see what's covered and the deductible you've chosen. Reviewing your policy will help you prepare questions for your
claims professional.
- Your insurance policy typically covers the cost to repair common hurricane damage. However, your policy may have wind and hail coverage
excluded. If coverage exists, a higher deductible for wind or hail damage is usually applied to hurricanes.
- If you can't live in your home, PSIC will pay reasonable additional living expenses, if provided by your policy, while the damage is assessed
and your home is being repaired or rebuilt. If, for some reason, your repairs take longer than the period of time covered in
your policy, you may be eligible for additional assistance from federal emergency programs.
- Remember that your PSIC property policy does not cover flood damage. If you have purchased a policy through the National Flood
Insurance Program, contact your agent to file a claim for flood-related damages.
- In Texas, many people have coverage for wind or hail under a separate policy issued by The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).
You may want to contact TWIA or your insurance agent if you believe you have this coverage.
Document Your Damage
- As soon as you can, make a thorough list of items that the hurricane damaged-this will help us process your claim faster. Utilize
the Inventory Sheet available for download below. Document the damage with photos, video, bills, and receipts. Do not throw out any
damaged items.
Personal Property Loss Inventory Sheet
- Your claims professional will advise you on the specific information we need from you to process your claim.
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Evacuation Center Information
www.houstontx.gov
American Red Cross
www.redcross.org
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
www.fema.gov
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
www.noaa.gov
National Hurricane Center
www.nhc.noaa.gov
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA)
www.twia.org
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