Action 9: Tips for getting repairs after extensive storm damage

CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Dozens of homeowners in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties are trying to repair or replace their homes this week after a weekend of storms and tornadoes.

Dozens more are cleaning up debris and trees knocked over by those storms.

But cleaning up can take weeks or months, depending on the severity of the damage. It also takes a lot of coordination with insurance companies and contractors.

Before a storm victim’s insurance adjuster arrives, homeowners should take steps to prevent further damage, such as covering holes in their homes.

Mark Nahrstedt spent Monday covering damage to his home.

“We boarded up some windows in the back and stuff like that. I don’t have holes in the roof. I got real lucky,” he said.

COMPLETE COVERAGE: See stories, video and pictures from the tornado in Charlotte and across the country

Insurance adjusters will reimburse homeowners for the work, as long as they save their receipts.

There are also disaster cleanup companies who will cover the holes for homeowners. Many companies are already preapproved by a homeowner’s insurance company.

Insurance agent Greg Lockhard advises homeowners to compile a written inventory of the damage along with supporting documentation to establish the value.

“The more that you can help an adjuster settle a claim, the better it will be for you as the homeowner,” he said.

Lockhart said a person’s adjuster will also recommend contractors and arrange for them to do repairs. He said that will help prevent people from being ripped off by storm chasers.

But some homeowners are being approached by outside adjusters. Two men walking through one neighborhood said they work as consultants for homeowners.

“We help them get a good settlement based on everything their policy allows them to go after,” said Bradley Fuess with Interclaim.

But experts advise that homeowners will have to pay the outside agents for their service. The better Business Bureau advises people to be wary of any adjuster who charges a fee.

WSOC