AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – As fewer people struggle to get their electricity, water and internet back on, more people are scrambling to process insurance claims so they can start fixing up their homes.
Senior investigative reporter Liz Owens explains why this process takes longer than restoring power.
Insurers continue to have agents across the country, but as with applications for FEMA assistance, the process may not be completed quickly and additional claims may be required to make repairs.
Lile: “I picked the wrong girl today because I don’t have that. Look at the plaster from Helen on the floor.”
Leele: “The jury is still out on my air conditioning unit. They think it was struck by lightning or something.”
But it was the estimated amount she got back from her homeowner’s insurance that sent her over the edge.
Liz: “How much were you offered?”
Reel: “$2,004. How do you think $2,004 covers everything? It doesn’t.”
Liz: “What did you say?”
Lile: “I said no. I said I didn’t even get a quote for this.”
Liz: “Isn’t this your first rodeo dealing with insurance company claims?”
Her roof was damaged in another storm in 2020.
“Buy this. They said there was no major damage and they would give me $1,586 to repair the roof. My deductible was $1,500.”
Rick Thomas is part of the State Farm team, helping people file insurance claims under a large tent in front of Carolina Pottery.
Liz: “What steps do you take as a consumer if you don’t think the estimate will cover your damages?”
Thomas: “The most important thing to know here is that it’s an estimate. We go out and give an initial estimate. And then we go through the process of requesting a quote from the company we want to do the repair. We need a detailed quote to see what the contractor wants to do, and then we compare it to our quote and try to reconcile the two.”
Leele went through just that process in 2020.
“They sent another person to inspect it and they sent me out. I think it was a little over $10,000,” she said.
Liz: “But did you have to fight for it?”
Lile: “I had to fight to the death.”
We were with Ms. Liele when she checked on the status of her Hurricane Helen claim. $2,004 was deposited into her account.
She said, “I can’t believe they did that.”
Liz: “Despite saying no, she saw where it was deposited. What would you do in that situation?”
Thomas: “If we record a loss and find that there is a loss, we are nevertheless obligated and will pay you for it. We just talked about the adjustment process. This is the first check. , you can add additional checks at any time.
Shelters are still full of people waiting for repair checks so they can return home safely. Nearly 100 people gathered at May Park on Saturday, more than a week after the storm.
Lilly is waiting another day.
Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King stopped by Augusta to let people know there is help if you hit a wall with your insurance company. His office is in charge of holding insurance companies accountable.
He said because of the large number of claims, it could take longer than the standard 30 days for an adjuster to travel to your home.
Mr. Thomas is making a claim under one of three categories. Priority is given to serious harm that prevents families from returning home.
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