Recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton FAQ

What you need to know

Recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton: What You Need to Know

This page is specific to Hurricane Helene. It is current as of October 2024 and will be updated regularly as recovery continues.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are my first steps?

If a customer feels they have a covered loss, we encourage them to submit a claim.
After a claim has been submitted, a claim handler will contact you to discuss the extent of damage and review what is covered under your policy.

Who is going to help me with my claim?

State Farm has claim team members on the ground helping all our customers recover from this unexpected tragedy. Our claim operation includes a dedicated, mobile workforce, specially trained to handle catastrophe claims and prepared to go anywhere in the country within hours of being notified.
Our customers should have confidence that State Farm will bring the necessary resources to handle our customers’ claims.
To best serve our customers, it is often necessary to involve more than one claim handler. This approach to enhanced customer service allows State Farm to provide quality and efficient claim service, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
We know this can be a difficult time. State Farm is here to answer any questions and provide claim service –if at any time during the claim process you have questions, do not hesitate to ask your claim handler.

Does State Farm homeowners insurance provide coverage for debris removal?

State Farm homeowners insurance may provide coverage, subject to policy terms, conditions and limits. We recommend you contact your claim handler, as they will be able to explain your policy coverages for the reasonable cost of debris removal.
The choice of who to hire to remove debris from your property is yours. Make sure any removal company is licensed and bonded. Some cities, counties or governmental agencies may offer debris removal in exchange for an agreement that you pay them all the money your insurance company pays you for this service.
State Farm does not negotiate debris removal expenses with the county, vendor, or any other entity. It is understood that the county, vendor, or other entity is hired by you, our insured, and that they work for you.
If you receive invoices, estimates or other documentation for debris removal, contact your claim handler.

Who pays for my living expenses?

If damage from a covered loss causes your residence to become uninhabitable, then Additional Living Expenses (ALE) may be available. Generally, ALE reimburses you for increased living expenses – which are necessary and reasonable – you incur as a result of your home being uninhabitable from a covered loss. This coverage is subject to your deductible and the terms, limits, and conditions of the policy.

How do I complete a personal contents inventory?

Creating an inventory of personal property can be overwhelming in a large loss. If you choose, a in-person meeting is available to assist you with completing your inventory. Customers who do not need a face-to-face meeting can provide their inventory to their claim handler for processing or submit them electronically directly to their claim file 24/7.
Customers do not have to wait until their entire inventory is completed to submit to their claim. We encourage submitting inventories by rooms to make it easier for our customers to compile.
State Farm recommends grouping items of similar quality/price/age: For Example: pants-10 pair/shirts-20, cleaning supplies, food, over the counter medication, kitchen utensils, as this can help expedite the process.
Again, if you need any assistance with the contents inventory process, all you have to do is ask your claim handler for an in-person meeting.

Will I receive an advance on my personal contents so I can begin replacing items?

State Farm provides advances based on covered damages in a large loss. We hope this helps our customers meet their immediate needs.

What steps do I need to take to receive reimbursement for all my lost contents?

Insurance coverage is based on the principle of ‘indemnity’ – that is, the insurance contract only provides coverage for contents items damaged from a covered loss, up to the policy limits. In most cases, the actual cash value of these items can be paid as part of the loss, and replacement cost value may be available based on the terms of your policy.
We recommend that customers create a home inventory with pictures, video and apps that can be useful should you have an insurance claim.

What is the difference between the market value and replacement cost of my home?

Market value is different than the replacement cost to rebuild your home. Market value is the amount a buyer would pay for a home, including the land, regardless of how much it would cost to rebuild the home. Replacement cost is the cost necessary to rebuild the home you had prior to the loss.

How can I figure out the replacement cost of my home?

In a covered loss, replacement cost is determined by a building estimate reflecting the cost to return your home to the pre-loss structure. It can include additional and optional benefits outlined in your policy and as incurred.
Catastrophes are an important reminder to meet with an agent at least annually to review policies and coverage.
The amount of insurance coverage selected is up to the customer.
Be sure to inform your agent about any changes to your home that may impact your insurance coverage needs.

How long does coverage last for a typical insurance policy?

An insurance policy is a contract. You pay for coverage for a specified amount of time defined as the policy period (for example six months or a year). The contract protects you for that specified amount of time and for covered losses you incur under that contract.
Once you have submitted a claim, the claims process will continue even past a policy expiration.

Does State Farm have the resources to pay all these claims?

Our long history of financial strength is what allows us to keep the commitments we have made to our customers, helping to remove some of the uncertainty from their lives during times of significant loss.
We have faced countless significant weather and other major disasters over our 102-year history, and we stand ready as we help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams.

Will my insurance policy be cancelled?

Many factors are considered when underwriting a homeowner’s insurance policy because each customer’s circumstances are unique. We look at each customer’s situation on a case-by-case basis, treating similar cases in a consistent manner.
Losses resulting from weather events may be included when reviewing a policy for continued insurance coverage in accordance with applicable law in the state where the covered property is located.

Will rates go up for my homeowners insurance?

Rates are determined based on our anticipated need to pay future claims, not to make up for past losses. It is important to note that many factors are considered when underwriting and pricing a homeowners insurance policy.
We encourage all our customers to have a conversation with their agent to make sure they are comfortable with the appropriate coverage for their unique situations, including reviewing discounts available to them that could decrease their premiums.

The media has reported on the affordability and availability of homeowners insurance. Can I find homeowners insurance and is it affordable?

It is important to keep in mind that homeowners insurance covers many causes of loss. For example, tornados, windstorms, fire, and hail. Also, non-weather losses such as theft and vandalism.
In general, many factors are considered when underwriting a new homeowners insurance policy. State Farm considers factors such as the location of the property relative to natural hazards, condition of the property, and the customer's past claim activity and history.
To keep our promises to all our homeowner customers, we must find the appropriate balance between our exposure to loss, the resources available to maintain a quality level of service, and our ability to meet our financial obligations to pay claims for all our customers.

My home was not damaged by the storm but there is no electricity or water. I need electricity and water to live in my home. Is that covered under my insurance policy?

Additional Living Expense coverage (ALE) is triggered when there is a covered loss making your home uninhabitable. Typically, if your home was not damaged ALE coverage does not apply.
Customers who have questions regarding their specific policy and coverages should check with their State Farm agent or claim handler.

I’m unable to access my home to know if there is damage.

We understand customers may not yet know if their home was damaged. We advise customers to save receipts for expenses incurred in the event they do have a covered loss once they are able to safely access their home.
If you do submit a claim, and the home is uninhabitable from a covered loss, there may be ALE coverage for the necessary and reasonable expenses incurred.

The food in my home has spoiled due to a lack of power. Is that covered under my insurance policy?

The typical homeowner's policy generally provides coverage for spoiled food due to a power outage, if the power outage is tied to a covered peril. For example, there is a storm that causes a power outage or if a car hits a utility pole.
There are differences by state and sometimes an endorsement could apply.
In order for coverage to apply, it will need to meet the customer’s individual deductible they have selected for their policy or other requirements.
Customers who have questions regarding their specific policy and their deductible should check with their State Farm agent.

My home suffered flood damage. Is that covered under my homeowners policy?

Flood damage or earth movement damage, such as landslides, mudslides, or mud flow are not covered by the State Farm homeowners insurance policy.
Flooding is not covered under homeowners’ policies. It is a separate coverage that can be purchased through the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or another insurance carrier.
Homeowners who have flood coverage and have experienced flood damage should report their claim to their flood insurance carrier so that damages can be assessed. To contact NFIP: 1-888-379-9531

My car suffered flood damage, is it safe to drive?

Once floodwaters are down, you may discover your car has been exposed to the water. Here are some tips to help limit the damage to your car after water exposure:

DO NOT start a flooded vehicle until it has received a thorough inspection by a qualified mechanic who determines the vehicle is safe to start.
Record the highest level of water exposure on your flooded vehicle if you can. Take pictures/video.
Contact your agent or claim handler and advise them that your vehicle has been flooded. The sooner the vehicle can be evaluated and dried out, the less damage the vehicle will sustain.

My car suffered flood damage. Is that covered under my auto insurance policy?

Comprehensive coverage – which is an optional coverage - on a typical auto insurance policy will generally cover damage to your car caused by a flood, subject to your deductible if any.

There are a lot of downed trees on my property. Does my homeowners insurance policy cover downed trees?

If a windstorm causes a tree to fall but it does not damage your covered property (such as your house, fence, carport or garage), the homeowners policy does not cover tree debris removal (except Pennsylvania which offers $150 in tree debris removal coverage).
If a windstorm causes a tree to fall and it damages your covered dwelling or other structures, then coverage is provided to remove the tree from the house, fence, carport or garage to perform repairs to that property. Depending on the state and specific homeowners policy, State Farm will also provide the amount indicated in the policy to remove the tree debris from the residence premises.

Do I have a hurricane deductible?

You can contact your State Farm agent or consult your State Farm policy Declarations page to confirm whether you have a hurricane deductible.
A hurricane deductible is a separate deductible on an insurance policy that operates similarly to a standard deductible, but is usually a different amount and is triggered by hurricane-caused losses (as defined in the insurance policy or endorsement). It may apply annually or per occurrence, depending on the terms of the policy, endorsement, or state laws.
The insurance industry uses hurricane deductibles to account for increased exposure to loss in areas prone to major storm events such as hurricanes.
Each state may differ on coverages or triggers for the hurricane deductible.
If you have questions, we encourage you to reach out to your State Farm agent and/or review your insurance policy language for the specific provisions related to hurricane deductibles.