damage from wind or flooding? Here’s how to make insurance work

See my news
Follow News

Of the winds over 100 km/hthe equivalent of two months of rain in one day in places, Storm Kirk which hits France this Wednesday October 9, 2024 can cause major damage.

If you are a victim at home, you should contact your insurance. Here is the procedure to follow before embarking on this long procedure.

1 – Contact your insurer

This is the first reflex to have. If your home or vehicle is damaged, you should contact your insurance company quickly. “By all means (telephone, email, SMS, Internet)”, insists France Assureurs on its website, the French Insurance Federation.

An advisor is responsible for responding to you within a more or less long waiting time. The latter will be able to tell you “the insurance guarantee under which you can be compensated”. Insurance guarantee which depends on the contract, the level of cover you have chosen and the origin of the damage.

For example, if you have a cellar, this part of the house is automatically insured. On the other hand, for ancillary buildings such as the swimming pool, the veranda, a hard fence, you must ask your insurer.

For cases of flooding, which Storm Kirk will mainly cause, the declaration of natural disaster by public authorities is necessary to enable policyholders holding comprehensive insurance to be compensated. The time limit for reporting the incident begins to run from the date of publication of this decree.

2 – Take photos and limit the damage

After the first contact, take photos and videosas much as you can, to have proof. Of the important parts to provide provide your insurer with a complete file and also, to enable them to measure the intensity of the damage.

Afterwards ? “All necessary measures to prevent further damage suffered by your home must be taken,” affirms France Assureurs. Covering the damaged roof, sheltering the furniture, clearing if necessary, protecting your damaged vehicle… There is no point in taking unnecessary risks.

3 – How to report damage?

The time limit depends on the cause of your damage.

For the storms, you have a deadline of five days to make your declaration. Supporting photos, videos, each damaged element (roof, walls, car) must be carefully recorded in the declaration.

For floods obligatorily recognized by the state as a natural disaster, the deadline is longer: 30 days after the publication of the ministerial decree Official Journal, details the France Assureurs website.

Depending on the description of the first damage, your insurer will tell you whether the visit of an expert is necessary or not.

When making the declaration, think to gather as many supporting documents as possible : photos of the damage, invoices for damaged goods or even notarial deeds.

And if you ever want to repair part or all of the damage yourself, keep your material purchase invoices : “They will be taken into account by your insurer”, indicates France Assureurs.

4 – What are the deadlines for getting reimbursed?

After receiving the declaration, completed and signed, the insurer will make you an offer of compensation. The amount will depend on the reconstruction value. Deductibles may also apply, whether for damage to vehicles or furniture.

Once an agreement is reached between the two parties, the payment of compensation is done on average within 30 days. This period depends on the contract taken out and the damage suffered, and varies from one insurance company to another. A deposit can also be paid.

For the moment, Michel Barnier’s government has not indicated that it would recognize departments in a state of natural disaster.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.