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Started By
Message
A tree just destroyed my house
Posted on 6/16/23 at 1:59 am
Posted on 6/16/23 at 1:59 am
I don’t know where to start. I moved my family to front of the house when the winds picked up. It wasn’t a minute later that the tree fell and the entire back part of the house collapsed.
I’ve never had anything like this. I’ve never dealt with homeowners insurance despite owning a home for 15 years.
Any advice for someone that has dealt with this? I guess I’m moving my family to my parents till we get this cleaned up.
I’ll take all the pictures in the morning. Anything else I need to do besides call insurance and take lots of pics?
I’ve never had anything like this. I’ve never dealt with homeowners insurance despite owning a home for 15 years.
Any advice for someone that has dealt with this? I guess I’m moving my family to my parents till we get this cleaned up.
I’ll take all the pictures in the morning. Anything else I need to do besides call insurance and take lots of pics?
84
Posted on 6/16/23 at 2:05 am to Salmon
Damn, sorry to hear. Yes, take all the pics you can and bust out your HO policy and make sure you have everything covered. Hopefully you have a good broker who will stay on the company on your behalf so they don’t try anything. I’d give them a call asap if so.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 2:08 am to Salmon
I'm sorry about your house. What area are you in? Most of your stuff can be replaced, the most important thing is that your family is okay. Not sure how old your kids are, but you may want to see about them speaking to a counselor. And maybe even parents too. This is traumatic, near death experience.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 2:09 am to Salmon
Pack up everthing that's irreplaceable or extremely valuable that you can safely get to. Not much you can do but ride it out until the morning.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 2:12 am to Salmon
So sorry this happened. It's important to know that things will get better with time. The rest is just details that you can handle with the help of your agent and adjuster. Good luck.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 2:17 am to Salmon
The repair will take forever if you don’t give it all your attention and effort. Nobody will really give more of a shite than you so be pushy keep things moving.
Take prudent action asap to protect your stuff without putting yourself at risk.
Good luck.
Take prudent action asap to protect your stuff without putting yourself at risk.
Good luck.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 2:18 am to Salmon
Friend,
I am grateful that you moved everyone at the right time. Mother and I rode out Katrina in one of the large buildings in New Orleans. Our home had significant damage, so we cleaned as much as possible right away. This was at the beginning of the digital camera age, so we took pictures, but memory cards then were much smaller. We may have been able to get 100 pictures on that card. Now, you shouldn’t have to be so selective. Document with photos more than a TulaneLSU Top 10 list. Details matter. Be as precise and detailed as possible.
We contacted State Farm as soon as we were able, about two weeks after Katrina, as we did after Ida. If you are able, contact them tonight or first thing tomorrow.
Since there are no active hurricanes and, if my memories of the ESPN Top 25 forum are correct and you live in the PNW, you probably will have an easier time dealing with insurance than we did, only due to the volume of others claiming at the same time. Once we were in contact we the adjuster and agent, all went smoothly because I documented very clearly. Again, they will appreciate detailed documentation and it is how you will get the most back.
Take a deep breath if you’re up to date with your premiums. Most insurance companies are more than fair. More and more policy holders today, swayed by dishonest contractors and roofers, are the bad guys, not the insurance companies.
If in heat and humidity, take as much valuable stuff out of the house and put in storage or your parents’ home. Depending on the type of damage, you may want to get some heavy tarps from Lowes or HD if your National Guard is not handing them out. You may not be a master carpenter like your dad, but it is time to get out a hammer. Do what you can in the next day to limit additional damage to your house. Whatever you end up buying or renting, save your receipts. Again, we found insurance to be more than generous in helping cover a fair cost.
Once an adjuster comes to your house, do not be afraid to tell him everything that is broken. Adjusters work for the insurance company so I have heard some are not fair. Ours were fair, but we were sure to have our friend, a respected contractor, there to point out the damages as well. If you know a good contractor, possibly ask him to be there when the adjuster is. At the very least, you will need to be there when the adjuster is. Do not be timid either.
Once you have hired a contractor, if costs go over what you were given by the insurance company, the contractor and adjuster need to have another conversation. With Ida inflation affected repair costs significantly, and I know many people received more than their initial claim amount. As inflation cools, that should be less of an issue. Timber prices are also significantly cheaper today, comparable to 2019 prices, so your house and the 16’ deck will be cheaper to repair than had this happened a year or two ago.
Tonight, give your family big hugs and show them how much you love them. Pray together. Again, I am so grateful none of you was hurt and am sorry this happened. I hope your rebuilding will go smoothly.
Sincerely,
TulaneLSU
I am grateful that you moved everyone at the right time. Mother and I rode out Katrina in one of the large buildings in New Orleans. Our home had significant damage, so we cleaned as much as possible right away. This was at the beginning of the digital camera age, so we took pictures, but memory cards then were much smaller. We may have been able to get 100 pictures on that card. Now, you shouldn’t have to be so selective. Document with photos more than a TulaneLSU Top 10 list. Details matter. Be as precise and detailed as possible.
We contacted State Farm as soon as we were able, about two weeks after Katrina, as we did after Ida. If you are able, contact them tonight or first thing tomorrow.
Since there are no active hurricanes and, if my memories of the ESPN Top 25 forum are correct and you live in the PNW, you probably will have an easier time dealing with insurance than we did, only due to the volume of others claiming at the same time. Once we were in contact we the adjuster and agent, all went smoothly because I documented very clearly. Again, they will appreciate detailed documentation and it is how you will get the most back.
Take a deep breath if you’re up to date with your premiums. Most insurance companies are more than fair. More and more policy holders today, swayed by dishonest contractors and roofers, are the bad guys, not the insurance companies.
If in heat and humidity, take as much valuable stuff out of the house and put in storage or your parents’ home. Depending on the type of damage, you may want to get some heavy tarps from Lowes or HD if your National Guard is not handing them out. You may not be a master carpenter like your dad, but it is time to get out a hammer. Do what you can in the next day to limit additional damage to your house. Whatever you end up buying or renting, save your receipts. Again, we found insurance to be more than generous in helping cover a fair cost.
Once an adjuster comes to your house, do not be afraid to tell him everything that is broken. Adjusters work for the insurance company so I have heard some are not fair. Ours were fair, but we were sure to have our friend, a respected contractor, there to point out the damages as well. If you know a good contractor, possibly ask him to be there when the adjuster is. At the very least, you will need to be there when the adjuster is. Do not be timid either.
Once you have hired a contractor, if costs go over what you were given by the insurance company, the contractor and adjuster need to have another conversation. With Ida inflation affected repair costs significantly, and I know many people received more than their initial claim amount. As inflation cools, that should be less of an issue. Timber prices are also significantly cheaper today, comparable to 2019 prices, so your house and the 16’ deck will be cheaper to repair than had this happened a year or two ago.
Tonight, give your family big hugs and show them how much you love them. Pray together. Again, I am so grateful none of you was hurt and am sorry this happened. I hope your rebuilding will go smoothly.
Sincerely,
TulaneLSU
This post was edited on 6/16/23 at 2:40 am
Posted on 6/16/23 at 2:20 am to Salmon
Salmon,
God blessed your family. I know you sure as hell aren’t thinking about that with a tree sitting on your home.
Yes.
You can take pictures of your damage, but your insurer is going to require action to mitigate further damage.
You know what that entails by the damage you’ve incurred, and how much you can do yourself will help defray OOP expenses.
Invite me up there in the fall to shoot a nice buck and I’ll come help you this weekend.
God blessed your family. I know you sure as hell aren’t thinking about that with a tree sitting on your home.
quote:
Anything else I need to do besides call insurance and take lots of pics?
Yes.
You can take pictures of your damage, but your insurer is going to require action to mitigate further damage.
You know what that entails by the damage you’ve incurred, and how much you can do yourself will help defray OOP expenses.
Invite me up there in the fall to shoot a nice buck and I’ll come help you this weekend.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 2:32 am to BRgetthenet
quote:
Nobody will really give more of a shite than you so be pushy
Yes. You are a hero because you acted in the moment.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 3:29 am to Salmon
quote:
I guess I’m moving my family to my parents till we get this cleaned up.
If your home is not liveable your policy should have Additional Living expenses coverage to cover a hotel or rental until you can move back into the home.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 4:20 am to Salmon
Wow, sorry this has happened to you. Had you not been thinking of the family, there might be far greater issues at the moment. Give thanks for everyone being safe and also rest well knowing you had the clear presence of mind when the wind gusts picked up.
Most everyone has mentioned the highlights of dealing with the insurance company tomorrow. I might add be careful now with the possibility of exposed electrical or gas lines. If you have access to the breaker panel, you can cut power to the damaged areas. Likewise if there were something like a gas HVAC unit or other lines running, turn off the gas if you can. A call to the fire department might not be a bad idea if you have any suspicions.
Good luck in the coming days ahead as you start getting the house back together. Most importantly, though, the family is safe.
Most everyone has mentioned the highlights of dealing with the insurance company tomorrow. I might add be careful now with the possibility of exposed electrical or gas lines. If you have access to the breaker panel, you can cut power to the damaged areas. Likewise if there were something like a gas HVAC unit or other lines running, turn off the gas if you can. A call to the fire department might not be a bad idea if you have any suspicions.
Good luck in the coming days ahead as you start getting the house back together. Most importantly, though, the family is safe.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 4:25 am to Salmon
Sorry to read this, Baw. 
Congrats on keeping the whole family safe.
I bought my house in BR, closing in early Jan., in 1997. On Sept. 1st of 2008, Gustav came through. On Sept. 2nd, the house I had bought had 2 trees down through the roof, laying on each bathroom floor. I felt tremendously lucky to have sold the house in 2001, and moved to Florida.
Are you starting a Gofundme?
Congrats on keeping the whole family safe. I bought my house in BR, closing in early Jan., in 1997. On Sept. 1st of 2008, Gustav came through. On Sept. 2nd, the house I had bought had 2 trees down through the roof, laying on each bathroom floor. I felt tremendously lucky to have sold the house in 2001, and moved to Florida.
Are you starting a Gofundme?
Posted on 6/16/23 at 4:30 am to Salmon
We flooded in 2016.
If you have to leave tonight, take all the important documents you can get to and your guns (and anything else you feel is extremely valuable) and bring your family somewhere where they can rest for a day or two.
Yes, pictures are a must. You want to document everything this way because you don’t want to rely upon memory. Same goes for any older pictures you have of the areas that are damaged. You can use these to help with the claim and can show these to the adjuster so they have a better understanding of what was there before.
Start making calls to contractors asap. Find someone you can trust. And Tulane has an excellent strategy of having him/her there during the adjuster’s visit. The contractor works for you. The adjuster works for the insurance company.
When the time comes, do what you can to protect what’s still there. Storage unit, tarps, keeping the air circulating via the AC even if there’s a big hole. Keep all of these receipts and document them together. Insurance should also pay for them as you’re taking proactive steps to avoid further damage.
I’m sorry this happened Salmon. I’m also grateful you and your family are okay. I know your daughter is near the age of my son. Let her know what’s going to happen and keep her updated on things as they get repaired. They’re smarter than we give them credit for and the more they know about what’s going on, the better they can process it and be comforted by the progress.
If you have to leave tonight, take all the important documents you can get to and your guns (and anything else you feel is extremely valuable) and bring your family somewhere where they can rest for a day or two.
Yes, pictures are a must. You want to document everything this way because you don’t want to rely upon memory. Same goes for any older pictures you have of the areas that are damaged. You can use these to help with the claim and can show these to the adjuster so they have a better understanding of what was there before.
Start making calls to contractors asap. Find someone you can trust. And Tulane has an excellent strategy of having him/her there during the adjuster’s visit. The contractor works for you. The adjuster works for the insurance company.
When the time comes, do what you can to protect what’s still there. Storage unit, tarps, keeping the air circulating via the AC even if there’s a big hole. Keep all of these receipts and document them together. Insurance should also pay for them as you’re taking proactive steps to avoid further damage.
I’m sorry this happened Salmon. I’m also grateful you and your family are okay. I know your daughter is near the age of my son. Let her know what’s going to happen and keep her updated on things as they get repaired. They’re smarter than we give them credit for and the more they know about what’s going on, the better they can process it and be comforted by the progress.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 4:42 am to ell_13
quote:
do what you can to protect what’s still there.
The contents are covered under his existing policy after they’ve been moved to storage. Even if that’s not a traditional “storage” facility.
Tarps to protect what hasn’t been damaged by rain and subsequent heat and humidity and removal of damaged materials that would exacerbate damage or increase the cost of remediation is the first priority.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 4:44 am to Salmon
Prayers to you and your family during this time.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 4:45 am to Salmon
Just want to say, very well done on trusting your instincts (or creator) and moving your family out of harms way.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 4:51 am to Salmon
Go turn off your breaker box cutting the power and gas.
Call your local Red Cross for temporary shelter. If you can't go to a family members house.
Call your insurance company and start making a claim now!
Call a trustworthy general contractor who is licensed now! (La. Has a list of state contractors who are within good standing on their website)
Take all important documents and your valuables somewhere safe.
GET AN APP THAT TIME STAMPS YOUR PHOTOS FOR INSURANCE COMPANY! Be persistent as hell! Do not bend! We lost everything in the 2016 flood down here, you have to document everything!!
Don't forget about the food in the fridge/freezer.
Good luck brother, keep a level head and work through this with your family as a team!
Call your local Red Cross for temporary shelter. If you can't go to a family members house.
Call your insurance company and start making a claim now!
Call a trustworthy general contractor who is licensed now! (La. Has a list of state contractors who are within good standing on their website)
Take all important documents and your valuables somewhere safe.
GET AN APP THAT TIME STAMPS YOUR PHOTOS FOR INSURANCE COMPANY! Be persistent as hell! Do not bend! We lost everything in the 2016 flood down here, you have to document everything!!
Don't forget about the food in the fridge/freezer.
Good luck brother, keep a level head and work through this with your family as a team!
This post was edited on 6/16/23 at 5:07 am
Posted on 6/16/23 at 5:07 am to Salmon
Phew...not sure I can offer any more than what TulaneLSU did but just wanted to say that sucks man but glad you and the family are safe.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 5:10 am to heypaul
Fire dept pulled my breaker. Insurance has been called and claim as been made. Got all valuables out of the rooms that weee destroyed.
We are sitting in the playroom telling stories since no one could sleep.
Kids are excited about spending the summer at Mawmaws.
We are sitting in the playroom telling stories since no one could sleep.
Kids are excited about spending the summer at Mawmaws.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 5:14 am to Salmon
Really sorry to hear! So thankful you and your family are safe, though. Take all important documents and any valuables with you when you leave and call your insurance company first thing, obviously. They need to get someone out there to to board up and tarp so no further damage happens and you’ll want to be in front of the line to get an adjuster out there, not to mention contractors. Sounds like they will be getting a lot of calls today.
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