Stay Safe, Stay Covered: DIFS Encourages Michiganders to Review Insurance Coverage for Severe Weather Preparedness

Media Contact: DIFS-press@michigan.gov
Consumer Hotline: 877-999-6442, Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 17, 2025

(LANSING, MICH) Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared March 16-22 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Michigan, and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is encouraging all Michiganders to ensure that they have the insurance coverage needed to prepare for the potential impact of severe weather conditions.

“Making sure that you have the right insurance in place now can help you recover when severe weather hits,” stated DIFS Director Anita Fox. “Severe Weather Awareness Week serves as a reminder to review your insurance policies with your insurance agent or company to ensure that you have the right coverages in place to protect your property. If you have questions, contact DIFS at 877-999-6442 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.”

Severe weather is especially common during rapid temperature swings during the spring warmup. These changing conditions can create dangerous weather patterns that significantly increase the potential for damaging severe weather, such as high winds, hail, or tornadoes.

It is important that Michiganders take the following steps to ensure they are properly protected:

• Review your insurance coverage. Verify that you have appropriate coverage with your insurance agent or company and discuss any coverage needs. Make sure you are financially comfortable with the amount of your deductible and know how it applies to an insurance claim. Though many types of storm damage are covered by homeowners and renters insurance, flood damage is typically not covered unless you have purchased flood insurance. Water and sewer back-up is also not automatically covered under a homeowners or renters policy so it is important to discuss coverage options with an insurance agent or insurance company before flooding or water damage occurs.
• Take inventory. Create a detailed list of personal possessions with photographs of each room on the property, and a thorough list of other valuables not seen in the photographs. These materials should be stored in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box, with a relative, or digitally online.
• Gather emergency contacts. Make a list of important phone numbers including family members, emergency responders, insurance agents, and insurance companies.
• Secure important documents. Store copies of all insurance policy declaration pages and insurance cards in a secure place, such as a safe deposit box or online securely in a digital format, in case the originals are destroyed or lost.
• Protect your finances. Make sure to have a financial plan, such as a dedicated emergency fund, for paying an insurance policy’s deductible to help avoid severe financial strain in the aftermath of a disaster. A deductible is a certain amount of money that must be paid out-of-pocket before the insurance company will pay a claim after a loss.

If your property is damaged, you should:

• Report the claim. Contact your insurance company's claims hotline and/or agent and have your policy number(s) ready as well as other relevant information easily available. To make the claims process even easier, DIFS has prepared an Insurance Claims Tracking Sheet.
• Prevent further loss. Take steps to protect the property to avoid further loss but do not make permanent repairs until the insurance company has inspected the damage. Be sure to keep receipts for any purchases of supplies that are needed to protect the property.
• Document the loss. Take pictures or videos of the damaged items and do not get rid of the items until instructed to do so by the insurance company.
• Protect yourself from fraud. After a storm, fraudsters claiming to be adjusters, contractors, and other service providers often go door-to-door claiming to offer services, like debris cleanup or building repairs. In these scams, the work may not be completed, may be completed with poor-quality materials or shoddy workmanship, or you may be significantly overcharged for the work. Always contact your insurer before hiring a contractor, verify the credentials and licensure of these individuals, be present in the home when damage is inspected or repaired, and never sign a contract for work without understanding it first. Also keep in mind that insurance adjusters work for and are paid by insurance companies, and you should not be asked to pay them for their services. To report a scam or price gouging, contact Michigan's Attorney General at 877-765-8388 or online for further information.

DIFS encourages consumers to first attempt to resolve any claim disputes directly with their insurance company. If a resolution cannot be reached, contact DIFS at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or submit a complaint online at Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints.

The mission of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is to ensure access to safe and secure insurance and financial services fundamental for the opportunity, security, and success of Michigan residents, while fostering economic growth and sustainability in both industries. In addition, the Department provides consumer protection, outreach, and financial literacy and education services to Michigan residents. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/DIFS or follow the Department on Facebook, X, or LinkedIn.

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