SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – When natural disasters hit, people’s lives are turned upside down, along with their homes.
With the damage from Hurricane Helene, and now Milton, those in impacted areas hope their insurance will be able to fill part of the void they now have to piece together.
Western Mass News spoke with John Sweeney, owner of John R. Sweeney Insurance in West Springfield, who laid out what the next steps will look like for those who fell victim to Helene damage with their insurance company.
“When there is damage, you will have an adjuster come out and come up with an estimate, and they will pay you based on that cash value, which is what it’s worth today,” Sweeney said.
He also explained how insurance workers provide disaster relief for other companies impacted.
“That they will pull people from all over other parts of the country to come down there, adjusters from up here, restoration companies will come up in order to help with the damage that occurs.”
We also spoke with Rana Morton, an insurance agency owner, who explains how natural disasters can rase insurance companies’ rates across the country.
“Because the reinsurance companies charge more to the insurance companies, who have had to pay out more than they maybe have anticipated because of the increase in losses,” she told us.
But for homeowners, she explained the importance of having an insurance company to back you after going through a tragedy.
“This is more than just money, if your house, poof, disappears, or goes into flames, there is a lot, it’s not a good time for us to be trying to make financial decisions.”
Morton also reminds home and car owners who have paid off their mortgage or car, to still have insurance.
“Oh, my mortgage is paid off, this is great, then they let their insurance lapse, and then something happens, and you’re on the hook for the entire thing.”
Agents remind homeowners that just because you are not in a high-risk area, does not mean you will not be affected and to speak with your insurance agent.
Homeowners are encouraged to check with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to see if they are in a high or low risk flood area.
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