Western News: January 2009

Welcome to Winter
Forty Feet Of Snow! 

More than forty feet of snow fell last winter in the Rocky Mountains.  While snowfall creates a winter wonderland, it also brings icy roads and sidewalks, frozen pipes, and even collapsed buildings.  During 2008, Western (WERC) examined several buildings that had reportedly collapsed under the weight of snow.  As we are already into the thick of the winter season, it may be beneficial for us to provide you with a few tips to handle the claims you may see due to snow. 

Whether your insured has a frozen pipe or roof damage from ice and snow, we understand the urgency it presents. During the rush, here are a few tips to keep in mind. First, if there is subrogation potential or if you want to know the cause, collect the evidence. Photography is vital, especially before broken or damaged materials are moved. Photography of existing conditions is important in identifying the cause of the failure. Second, timing is everything. Contact WERC as soon as possible. We strive to be on site quickly and to prepare your reports in a timely manner. 

The last tip involves communication. George Bernard Shaw once said, the greatest problem in communication is the illusion that it has been accomplished. In communicating with the insured, it helps to have as much detail as possible about what happened.  Keep in mind the 5 Ws...what, who, where, when, why. Communicate to your time constraints. Because communication is always a two way street, we strive to communicate progress and findings as thoroughly and quickly as we are able.  These steps will help provide a much smoother, efficient investigation.

Also....

An Ounce of Prevention

Winter Brings Frozen Pipes

Who to call

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