State Insurance Commissioner Stresses Importance Of Quickly Filing A Claim

Oklahoma's insurance commissioner said standard homeowner policies often do not cover damage to the trees surrounding your house.

"Folks have some big, beautiful trees,” Oklahoma insurance commissioner Glen Mulready said. “Kids have grown up on those trees, and suddenly, those trees are gone. This is hard for folks to hear that that is not covered.”

However, when those trees damage your property, there is relief.

"In the event that a tree falls on your home, your covered outbuilding, or your fence, there is going to be covered subject to a deductible on those items. In addition to removing that tree from your property," said Dan Scoggins with AAA Club Alliance. 

Scoggins said other storm-related damages likely not covered are hotel costs if your power goes out, damage caused to your property by a neighbor's tree and spoiled food.

An important step is to get your claim in as quickly as possible. This will be a busy time for claims adjusters.

"Call your insurance company, file your claim, get the initial instructions and then you get your remedial companies out there,” Scoggins said. “Get the tree company out there to get the tree off your house.”

Claim settlement can take some time, but officials said repair work should not.

"Your larger companies are going to bring in adjusters from Texas or Missouri, to come in to handle the extra workload due to the claims," Mulready said.