Disaster Recovery Resources
Be Prepared for Winter Weather
Helping you stay safe and protected is at the core of what we do. At Frost, we offer valuable tools and resources needed to be proactive and prepare for the unexpected. Keep yourself, your loved ones and your business safe by following these helpful tips to stay ahead of dangerous and unpredictable winter weather.
- Review your homeowners insurance policy to ensure your coverage levels are adequate for the value of your home. Be sure to take pictures of your home and secondary properties.
- Protect your home by reinforcing windows and doors, trim or remove trees close enough to fall on buildings and keep gutters and drains free of debris.
- Identify the location of your home’s main water shut-off valve and label it for future use. Consider shutting off the water to your home or vacation home and draining your plumbing system when leaving for an extended period this winter.
- Add Wi-Fi-connected water leak detectors so you can be alerted to moisture and take action to prevent or minimize water damage.
- Consider investing in and installing a backup generator to maintain heating systems. A generator can also keep Wi-Fi connected, leak detectors operating and cold food in your refrigerator. A permanent backup generator may also help lower your premiums.
- Install a programmable thermostat so you can be alerted to unusually low temperatures in your home, a possible precursor to freezing pipes. Be sure to keep your thermostat set at no less than 60°F even when you’re not home for extended periods of time.
- Arrange a home energy audit to have a professional help you uncover any issues in your home before a winter storm creates a problem.
- If you have a pool, plan ahead and install a freeze protector to auto-circulate the water and manually turn on the pumps to stay running in freezing temperatures.
- Contact a water mitigation company immediately should you have a plumbing emergency to reduce potential damages to your home.
Taking proactive measures to safeguard your home from a storm may also help keep premium increases down. Because homeowners premiums are based on risk factors, adding safety measures like a backup generator, water leak detectors or a temperature-monitoring system could earn you a discount.
- Review your insurance needs to ensure your coverage levels are adequate. Remember to take pictures of your business properties.
- Create a winter safety and a business continuity plan, review and practice them annually.
- Have a plan for communicating with employees and customers in the event winter weather affects your operating hours.
- Prepare your property by:
- Putting sand down to improve traction in the parking lot
- Shoveling sidewalks and walkways to clear a path for customers
- Wrapping exposed outdoor pipes
- Placing non-slip mats in front of entrances
- Prepare a stock of emergency supplies including flashlights, a radio, batteries, food, water, a whistle and a first aid kit.
- Add necessary contacts of colleagues, vendors and emergency services to your cellphone.
- Make copies of your important documents such as insurance policies, banking records and account numbers. Keep them in a water and fireproof container.
- Set up secondary communications such as a dedicated phone line, 800 numbers, radios and satellite phones.
- Consider investing in and installing a backup generator to power lights and heaters in the event of a prolonged electrical outage. Backup generators are especially important when checking your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Start conserving energy by lowering your thermostat during peak hours to save your business from drastic winter costs.
If you’ve experienced damage to your personal or business property and need to file a claim, we recommend reaching out to your carrier directly to expedite the process. Below are instructions on how to file a claim and the contact information for the personal and commercial carriers Frost partners with. As always, Frost is available to assist you whenever you may need us.
Most insurance carriers offer mobile apps that allow you to file a claim directly. Check your app store to see if your carrier provides this technology.
We are here to help. Call us at (866) 227-2099 or you may reach out to your local Frost Insurance office at the numbers below.
1. Protect property from further damage.
- Cover the property if it is exposed to the elements.
- Make temporary repairs, if reasonable and necessary, to protect the property from further damage.
- Maintain a record of all expenses incurred.
- Separate damaged from undamaged personal property.
2. Take photos of damage (if possible).
3. Prepare an inventory of damaged personal property.
- List quantity, description and value.
- Attach bills, receipts, estimates and related documents.
4. Retain damaged property until a claims adjuster approves its disposal (unless a danger to safety exists).
- The adjuster may need to inspect the property.
- The insurance company may be able to salvage the damaged property.
5. Notify police in the case of theft.
6. Expect to be contacted by the claims adjuster within two working days. Please call Frost Insurance if you have not been contacted within that timeframe.
- If the damage significantly affects your continuing operations, we will request that the insurance carrier expedite your claim.
- Please let us know immediately if your circumstances change and this loss will have a greater impact on your business than originally anticipated.
7. Be prepared to provide additional information as requested by the claims adjuster.
8. Consider or plan for alternative arrangements in the event your premises has damage that does not permit you to remain there.
Personal Carriers Claims Centers
| Acuity (800) 242-7666 clservice@acuity.com |
Central (888) 263-2924 lossnotices@central-insurance.com |
Chubb (800) 252-4670 cscfnol@chubb.com |
| NFIP: Flood (877) 336-2627 |
Travelers (800) 252-4633 first.report@travelers.com |
Wright: Flood (800) 725-9472 floodclaims@weareflood.com |
Commercial Carriers Claims Centers
| Acuity (800) 242-7666 clservice@acuity.com |
AmWINS (214) 528-3999 txclaims@amwins.com |
Brown & Riding (213) 452-7060 claimdesk@brcins.com |
| Burns & Wilcox (214) 746-5098 claims@burns-wilcox.com |
Central (888) 263-2924 lossnotices@central-insurance.com |
Chubb (800) 252-4670 cscfnol@chubb.com |
| CRC (205) 414-2289 |
EMC (888) 362-2255 dallas.claims@emcins.com |
FCCI (800) 226-3224 newclaim@fcci-group.com |
| Nationwide Private Client (855) 473-6410 privateclient_claims@nationwide.com |
NFIP: Flood (877) 336-2627 |
R-T Specialty (312) 784-6001 txclaims@rtspecialty.com |
| Starr (855) 782-7725 claims@starrcompanies.com |
Towerstone (972) 725-2100 claims@towerstonecorp.com |
Travelers (800) 238-6225 first.report@travelers.com |
| United Fire (800) 343-9131 irnewclaims@unitedfiregroup.onmicrosoft.com |
Wright: Flood (800) 725-9472 floodclaims@weareflood.com |
Zurich (800) 987-3373 usz_carecenter@zurichna.com |
Local Regional Numbers
| Austin (512) 473-4520 |
San Antonio (210) 220-6420 |
Victoria (361) 580-9010 |
| Houston (713) 388-1250 |
Dallas (214) 515-4145 |
Fort Worth (817) 420-5700 |
| Corpus Christi (361) 580-9010 |
Rio Grande Valley (361) 580-9010 |
San Marcos (210) 220-6420 |
| Permian Basin (817) 420-5700 |
College Station (713) 388-1250 |
Additional Resources
More resources may be found at the Texas Department of Insurance website.
If you need restoration services, here are some reputable companies you may contact.
Frost Insurance Agency does not endorse these companies, further Frost does not make any guarantees or representations of effectiveness of products offered by these providers.