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Know What Your Insurance Covers

Review Your Policy Before Storm

The following list of items are typically covered by a home owner's policy. Review your policy before a storm to be sure you have adequate coverage.

When a storm is approaching, most companies will not allow changes in coverage or initiation of new coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Covered By Typical Policy:

Trees and Shrubbery
Most insurance companies will pay for the removal of trees that have fallen on your home. They may pay to remove the trees that have fallen and haven't caused damage to your home or other insured structure. They usually won't pay to replace trees or shrubbery that have been damaged in a storm.

Water Damage
Homeowners policies don't cover flood damage but they do cover other kinds of water damage. For example, they would generally pay for damage from rain coming through a hole in the roof or a broken window as long as the hole was caused by a hurricane or other disaster covered by the policy. If there is water damage, check with your agent or insurance company representative to see if you are covered.

Compliance With Current Building Codes:
Building codes require structures to be built to certain minimum standards. In areas likely to be hit by hurricanes, for example, buildings must be able to withstand high winds to reduce the risk of hurricane damage. If your home was damaged and it was not in compliance with current local building codes, you may have to rebuild the damaged sections according to current codes. In some cases, complying with the code may require a change in design or building materials and may cost more. If you live in an area likely to be flooded, you may have to comply with federal codes which require buildings to be raised above flood level. Generally, homeowners insurance policies won't pay for these extra costs. However, some insurance companies offer an endorsement that pays for these extra costs, while some insurance companies offer an endorsement that pays a specified amount toward such changes. (An endorsement is a form attached to an insurance policy that changes what the policy covers.)

From the Insurance Information Insititute

Detailed Forecast

3 - Day Forecast
Fri
Partly Cloudy
49
Sat
Partly Cloudy
52
Sun
Partly Cloudy
50
Severe Weather Team 2
Karen Minton
Karen Minton, AMS Certified Meteorologist, morning and noon.
More Details

Metro Atlanta
From Meteorologist Karen Minton

It is cold this morning, and will not warm up a lot today. Highs will stay in the upper 40s. The weekend looks dry, and cold. Next chance of rain will be early next week.

Today: Sunny. Highs around 50. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny in the morning then becoming partly sunny. Lows in the low 30s and upper 20; Highs in the mid 50s. West winds 10 to 20 mph.

Sunday: Sunny. Low near 30; Highs near 50.

Monday: Sunny. Lows near 30; Highs in the ower 50s.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a 60 percent chance of showers. Lows in the upper 30s; Highs in the mid 50s.

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