Thousands of people affected by winter storms across the country last week are starting the claims process. Experts say doing prep work before you have to make a claim makes it easier.
BE RAINING ROCKS IS A THICK LICHEN OF ASH COVERED THE TOWN. SO FAR, NO REPORTS OF DAMAGE OR INJURIES. >>> FILING AN INSURANCE CLAIM CAN BE INTIMIDATING. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE STARTING A CLAIMS PROCESS AND DOING PREP WORK BEFORE YOU HAVE TO MAKE A CLAIM CAN MAKE IT EASIER IN THE EVENT OF A CLAIM DISASTER. BEN HAS A STORY. >> TEXAS AND OTHER STATES ARE NOW RECOVERING FROM WINTER STORMS. THOSE WHO SUFFER DAMAGE MAKE IT UNEXPECTED NEWS WHEN THEY CALL INSURANCE AGENTS. >> UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS LIKELY THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL BE LEARNING MORE ABOUT THEIR CURRENT COVERAGE AND MAKING CLAIMS. >> Reporter: HE SAYS THE BEST WAY TO AVOID INSURANCE PROBLEMS IS TO PREPARE. >> IF YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN THE DANGER ZONE, TAKING PICTURES OF YOUR ROOMS, TAKING PICTURES OF THE PIPES IN THE ROOF IN ANY AREA THAT COULD BE MORE IN DANGER. THAT COULD SAVE YOU IN THE EVENT THAT SOMETHING ACTUALLY HAPPENS. >> Reporter: IF THAT SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN, DON’T HESITATE TO CALL. >> AS EARLY AS YOU CAN, GETTING YOURSELF IN FRONT OF THE INSURANCE CARRIER TO COMMUNICATE WHAT IS HAPPENED IN YOUR SITUATION SO THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF IT. >> Reporter: AND HOMEOWNERS NEED TO MAKE SURE THEIR INSURANCE IS UP-TO-DATE. ESPECIALLY WITH SO MANY HOME OFFICES ALLOWING WORK FROM HOME . >> MAKING ADDITIONS TO HOME, YOU WANT TO UPDATE YOUR INSURANCE. >> Reporter: PREPARING FOR THE WORST CAN MAKE IT EASIER TO HOPE FOR THE BEST. NBC NEWS. >>> EXPERTS SAY DOCUMENT EVERYTHING FROM RECEIPTS TO DETAILED PICTURES OF EACH ROOM
