Insurers winds worse than ice Keith Lawrence Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky. McClatchy-Tribune Regional News
February 11 - with strong winds and thunderstorms in the forecast for today in Kentucky, insurance companies are preparing for another round of complaints.

But the Department of Insurance Kentucky said that so far at least, it does not look like the ice storm two weeks ago, will produce the volume of requests or the dollar amount that the remains of the Hurricane Ike has caused in September.

"There are a lot of damages from this storm are not insured," Rhonda Sloan, spokesman for the ministry, said Monday. "If members are in the courtyard, which is generally not covered. If they hit home, it is. A lot more members during Ike hit houses."

Limbs broken by the ice has decreased in general down, she says, but Ike in winds of 73 mph members blew several feet of trees.

"So far, it appears that Ike damaged most of the insured property," said Sloan. "The companies we have spoken have indicated relatively minor claims so far from the ice storm.

Gary Kerney, Assistant Vice President of Insurance Services Office Property Claim Services, said that the remnants of Hurricane Ike caused $ 500 million in property damage insurance in Kentucky.

And, he says, "PCS issued a disaster declaration for the winter storm that hit six states, including Kentucky, in late January. PCS is the compilation of its estimate of insured property damage related to the effects of the storm. "

It is too early to say whether Ike ice high in the claims, he said.

"The numerous interruptions in utility service and the length of time needed to restore them have slowed the process of dealing with applications for travel conditions," said Kerney.

"We see a number of claims in the ice," Rick Ford, one of the owners of EM Ford & Co in Owensboro, said Tuesday. "But they are not commensurate with the seriousness or Hurricane Ike. So many roofs were damaged by Ike, and we do not see that number this time. "

Ford expressed concern that insurance companies of ice on the roof to cause leaks, especially those who have still not been repaired by Ike. "But until now there has not been much of that," he said.

Ford said he heard speculation that the storm would have been much worse if the high winds of Ike was not allowed to many branches of trees.

"I do not know how one can prove that," he says. "But I heard many people say that."

"The volume of claims in the ice is less than Ike and the State at local level," said J. Todd Inman, an agent for State Farm Insurance in Owensboro. "We still do not know about gravity because many people are still without power and May have not discovered the damage. "

Inman said last week's hard freeze and thaw suddenly caused a lot of pipes bursting in the region. "We've had a lot of serious water damage to houses that," he said.

Strong winds expected today, he says, may cause more serious damage if broken limbs from trees falling on houses and vehicles.

"It has the potential to create significant damage," said Inman.

At the moment, most people have not discovered what their insurance does not cover.

But Sharon P. Clark, Commissioner of Kentucky Department of Insurance, said "consumers should not assume something without having first been monitoring the policy. If there is a question about reimbursement, contact your agent before committing the expenditure. "

Most policies do not cover living costs due to power outages, "she says.

"If you leave your home because there was no electricity, your insurance company will not reimburse you for hotel expenses," said Clark. "However, if you leave your house because a tree fell on the roof, which may remain, other living expenses in general are treated."

"We have certainly seen a wave of recent catastrophic weather events," said Inman.

Sloan said the statement refers to the storm as an "act of nature. We do not blame God."

The rate increases to come

She said her office is to see rate increases of insurance companies for homeowners' policies. "Some are moderate," said Sloan. "Some are as high as 17.6 per cent."

Insurance companies, she says, "usually a return on their claims in the past five years in determining rates, so Ike is probably not a factor yet."

Sloan said: "We have a lot of storms each year in Kentucky."

In most cases, a rate of insurance of the owner are not affected by the number of cases related to the storm formed, "she says.

"In general, natural disasters do not affect the rate of one individual, because there is nothing you can do to avoid them," said Sloan.

Inman said insurance agencies are encouraging people to file applications as soon as possible.

"Some people do not have much damage," he said. "They are trying to be helpful pending the report. But we must move forward and get all the claims filed as soon as possible. "

Kentucky Department of Insurance says it is the most frequently asked questions, he fields:

A tree fell on my property on the house of my neighbor. Who pays the insurance?

In most cases, the owner of the insurance policy of the person who damages for loss of remuneration. If your tree falls on your neighbor's property and there is no documented evidence that the tree is sick or you've been somewhat negligent, your neighbor owns the insurance policy covers the loss.

If my neighbor of the tree falls on my car, whose insurance pays?

Your auto insurer will pay if your neighbor of the tree falls on your car, but only if you complete coverage. There is no cover if you have only liability coverage on your auto policy.

The ice storm damaged my trees and shrubs. Will my insurance pay for replacements?

No, the landscaping is not an insurance loss.

If there is damage to my shed, garage or outbuildings, my insurance coverage?

Yes, if dependent coverage is included in housing policy.

If the power goes off and I rent a generator to keep the house warm, to cover the cost of insurance?

In most cases, no.

Will insurance cover the cost of disposing of fallen trees if the tree did not damage the property insured?

Some homeowners policies have a fixed amount for the removal of trees or debris, but usually only if part of a covered loss. Check your policy or call your agent.