Tips for what to do if homes, cars were damaged by Irene

BOSTON -- Crushed cars, flooded basements and new skylights. As locals assess the damage Irene left behind, the big question for many homeowners is what is covered and what is not?

Toppled trees now scattered on cars and houses have uprooted people's lives across New England. One Braintree homeowner was shocked when a tree branch came through the ceiling of his house like a spear!

"I thought maybe lightening hit or a tornado, I said, ‘This is fierce.’” said the homeowner.

And another tree took out the entire corner of a house.

"The house shook, it was nuts,” said the resident.

This kind of storm damage is something many New Englanders will be calling their insurance company about. If your post Irene house or car is damaged, here's what you need to do:

• Cover holes in your roof or windows quickly

• Document all the damage and the scene around the area

• You can even use your cell phone camera

"Take pictures, take videos…show the insurance agency and the company what really happened to your property,” said Property Casualty Insurers Assn. of America Frank O'Brien.

Also:

• Call your insurance company and make a claim

• Keep receipts if you bought emergency construction supplies or hired a contractor

• Start getting repair estimates

• Flooding, unfortunately, may not be covered

"That requires separate coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program. Again, talk to your insurance agent, talk to the company, get the facts…there may be something they may be able to do for you,” said O'Brien.

Your basic homeowners insurance policy may not cover damage to trees, shrubs and other plants, but it may pay to remove the debris from a fallen tree if it caused damage to a structure covered by insurance.

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