Texas Department of Insurance: File insurance claims as soon as you can

The Texas Department of Insurance is sending representatives to the Rio Grande Valley this weekend to help homeowners file claims and answer questions about their insurance, said department spokesman Ben Gonzalez.

Homeowers need to file their claims as soon as possible because insurance companies anticipate receiving a high number after Hurricane Dolly, Gonzalez said.

They also need to have an adjuster assess the damage before filing a claim. Homeowners should be home when the adjuster is there, Gonzalez said.

Insurance companies usually have 15 days from the time a claim is filed to approve or deny that claim and five days to pay it out, according to the department.

But the volume of claims insurance companies anticipate because of Dolly could cause delays, Gonzalez said.

Anyone with broken windows or torn up roofs should make temporary repairs such as putting up tarps or plywood while waiting to hear back from the insurance company. Homeowners should not make permanent repairs before hearing back from their insurance provider, he said.

It's also important to know what kind of insurance you have, he said.

Most homeowner's insurance policies will cover damaged caused by wind and in some cases water if rain came in and ruined property. They won't cover damage caused by rising water, but a flood insurance policy would, he said.

For more information, call 1-800-252-3439 or visit www.tdi.state.tx.us/consumer/storms/dollypage.html#news.

The department also warns homeowners to beware of fraud. Public insurance adjusters must be licensed. Beware of contractors who may try to exploit the situation. If you suspect fraud, please call the department's fraud hotline at 1-888-327-8818.