Billing

Flood Notice: Illinois

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Insurance has taken measures to address problems consumers will face due to circumstances that make it difficult for them to take normal action required by their insurance carriers.  These measures are intended to provide peace of mind and help ensure disaster victims do not lose insurance coverage during the recovery period.

Effective immediately, Westfield Insurance has implemented all requirements of Bulletin CB#2008-04, 'Exceptions for consumers in disaster areas.' Read the bulletin

The following procedures apply to all customers affected by this disaster, including but not limited to those residing in or any property located in counties that have been declared disaster areas by Governor Rod R. Blagojevich or President George W. Bush.

New Procedure for Illinois June 2008 Flood Disaster Claims:

Effective immediately, Westfield provides the following notice of compliant services to customers:

Please be advised that the Illinois Division of Insurance requires that we notify you of the availability of the Division for filing a complaint regarding any disaster-related dispute or issue.   Consumers are advised that they may call the Division's toll-free complaint hotline at 1-866-445-5364, or file a complaint online at http://www.idfpr.com/doi/Complaints/Complaints.asp.

Moratorium on Cancellations and Non-renewals:

In the wake of the recent catastrophic events in the state of Illinois and in consideration of our customers, we will not be issuing cancellation notices for nonpayment beginning June 18. If you are a Westfield customer and are past due on your invoice, you have until August 18 to pay your premium.

Also, if you received a cancellation notice dated June 10 or later, we will automatically reinstate the policy and waive the reactivation fee.

You can pay your bill online or by phone, click here.

Contact Billing Customer Service at 1.800.552.9134 with any questions or concerns.

Resources

What's covered? Learn what's typically covered under your home insurance policy in this news release from the Ohio Insurance Institute.

Tips to Minimize Further Damage After a Storm or Flood

(From the Property Casualty Insurance Association of America, www.pciaa.org)

• First and foremost, if holes have been torn in your roof or your windows are broken, be sure to cover them as quickly as possible so that wind and rain don't cause further damage. Keep all receipts for anything you buy for that purpose so you can submit them to your insurance company later.
• Report all damage to your insurance company or agent as soon as you can. To settle your claim more quickly and accurately, it will help if you have as much information as possible about your damaged possessions when your insurance adjuster comes to look at your property.
• Make a list of damaged items. If possible, put together a set of records, such as receipts, bills and photographs, to establish the age of everything that needs to be replaced or repaired. Identify the structural damage to your home and make a list of everything you would like to show the adjuster.
• Don't throw out damaged furniture or other expensive items. The adjuster will want to see them. It also is a good idea to take photographs of the damage before you start cleaning it up.

If you have been affected by flooding in your home, there are certain things you can do to minimize the damage:

• Shovel or scrape the mud off your floors, furniture and walls before the mud dries. Then hose down the walls with clean water, starting from the ceiling.
• Major appliances, such as refrigerators and stoves, can be washed and dried completely. In most cases, they will not be damaged unless they were operating at the time the water covered them.
• Diluted chlorine bleach can be used to clean household items, appliances, walls and floors. This also will help control odors.
• Wood furniture should be dried outdoors, but not in direct sunlight. Remove drawers and other moving parts before they dry.
• A flooded basement should be pumped gradually to prevent structural damage. Pump out about a third of the water per day.
• Food utensils and equipment should be washed thoroughly and sterilized before you use them. Any food that is open and exposed to flood waters should be discarded.