Hail Storm Pounds Down on Central Minnesota

Recently, a disastrous hail storm hit the midsection of Minnesota. Reports have estimated that 44,000 residents in the Twin Cities Metro Area were without power due to falling trees, hail and flooding. Highways in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Bloomington, and surrounding cities were closed due to standing water. Many automobiles and homes were damaged by the storm. Witnesses in several areas including Eden Prairie, St. Louis Park, and Edina reported seeing hail the size of golf balls smashing in to cars and home windows. If you experienced damage to your property, there are several steps you must take to ensure you get enough money from your insurance company to pay for all your losses and repairs. Make sure to take photographs depicting the damages both inside and outside your property. Do not throw any documents away. Don’t forget to account for damage to your personal property such as clothing, furniture and appliances. Beware of insurance agents at booths offering to get you a check today. Taking the quick money seems tempting, but it may prevent you from getting more money later if it turns out the fast check wasn’t enough to cover your losses or repairs. The insurance company has a right to investigate your loss, including inspecting the damages. If you exaggerate the damages to your personal property you run the risk of having your claim denied. Recently, a homeowner in Minnesota learned this lesson the hard way. In Hackbarth v. State Farm (0:11 CV-00690-DSD-FLN) a jury in a federal court case in Minnesota found that the homeowners in a fire loss had overstated their proof of loss on contents. State Farm was able to convince the jury that the owners could not possibly have purchased various items when they said they did based on financial records. As a consequence the entire policy was declared void and the owners ordered to repay State Farm over $670,000. Be proactive and do not simply take the adjuster’s or insurance company’s word on scope or cost of repairs. The insurance company is going to pressure you to take the quick check now, but don’t do so until you’ve had an independent contractor come and do an estimate himself. If you are not satisfied with your insurance company’s offer and need help, please contact Arguello Law Firm today.