Trees down, spoiled food: what's covered

Trees down?  Power out?  Food spoiling in the fridge?

The Ohio Insurance Institute says you may be able to get insurance coverage for it, if you feel the loss is big enough to be worthy of a claim.

However, if it's just some branches down in your yard that you can cut up, your best bet is not filing a claim, because that can count against you.

Tree in Yard:  Maybe

If a tree hits your roof, you are covered by insurance for cleanup and repair costs.

Homeowners land in a gray zone when a tree lands in your yard without damaging anything else.
    
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover damage to trees or landscaping.

However, some insurance polices have a debris cleanup allowance, ranging from $500 to $1,000: Ask your agent if you have it.

Meantime, if you decide to clean up a downed tree before an adjuster can see it, take pictures, get a receipt, and even keep some debris as evidence. You may have to prove your loss.

Lost Food... Yes, But...

What about coverage for spoiled food due to a power failure?

The insurance group says some polices will cover for up to $500 of lost food.

But the problem is that most people have a $500 deductible, meaning you'd need to claim something else for your food coverage to kick in.  If you have damage and lost food, then its fine to claim the food losses.

So how long will food last after a power outage?

According to the USDA , the refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed).

For more information on what to do with food during and after severe weather, click here .

Have questions? Contact your agent, so you don't waste your money.

As always, don't waste your money.
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