JEFFERSON CITY—After the recent bout of severe weather in the St. Louis region, with some areas sustaining significant damage to homes and businesses, Sen. Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, encourages citizens to contact the Missouri Department of Insurance’s Consumer Hotline at (800) 726-7930 with any questions or concerns regarding their insurance coverage.

Individuals and businesses that sustain damage from storms or severe weather are always advised to immediately contact their insurance companies as soon as possible.

“Our area has been hit with a number of bad storms recently, and it’s taken its toll on our communities,” said Sen. Walsh. “In the aftermath of severe events like these, it’s not always easy to navigate the insurance process. The Department of Insurance is there to help with those exact problems, and I strongly urge anyone with any questions to contact them.”

The governor declared a state of emergency in response to the storms this past weekend and activated the Missouri State Operations Plan, which allows state departments to work directly with local agencies to provide emergency aid.

The Department of Insurance offers these general tips for consumers affected by storms:

• Contact your insurance agent or your company's toll-free claims number as soon as possible.
• If you have lost the contact information for your insurance company, the department may be able to help you locate it. Contact the Missouri Department of Insurance at www.insurance.mo.gov or by calling (800) 726-7390
• Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage. For example, a hole in the roof should be covered by a tarp or other materials to keep rain out. The same goes for a broken car window. Otherwise, further damage will likely not be covered by your insurance policy. Keep the receipts for materials you buy so you can be reimbursed.
• Don't make permanent repairs until your insurance company has inspected the damage. If you do, your insurance company may not reimburse you.
• Once your claim is processed, get estimates from contractors or auto repair shops known to you or recommended by someone you trust. Be suspicious of strangers who offer to do repairs for you.
• If you believe your insurance company has not handled your claim properly, file a complaint with us. The department will determine whether your insurance company has followed Missouri law in processing your claim.
• Don't let contractors inspect your property if you're not watching. Some unscrupulous companies will cause damage to drive up the repair cost, and your insurance company will likely not cover the additional cost.
• Don't pay the whole repair bill in advance. Pay in full only when the work is completed according to your agreement.
• Business owners can refer to the department's Small Business Topics Web page, which offers information on commercial property, business interruption insurance and more.

For more information on how the Department of Insurance can assist you, call (800) 726-7390 or visit its Missouri website at www.insurance.mo.gov.