Insurance agents share tips for policy holders impacted by Friday's storm
Mike Byrne and his wife just moved to Elkhorn from Louisiana back in October.
"We went through two hurricanes down there, so we moved up to a tornado, which was a significant upgrade," he said.
They were home when the tornado hit their home on Friday.
"We just heard cracks and pops and the sound of your house falling down around you," he said.
They were safe in the downstairs bathroom.
"It was a perfect house for us," Byrne said.
And when they returned Saturday, there was a reason to be thankful amid the destruction.
"People that we didn't know were here cleaning up our house for us," he said.
Plus, he's already got the insurance check.
State Farm agents were in Bryne's neighborhood Monday handing out gifts, like work gloves and teddy bears.
They had advice for police holders impacted by Friday's storm:
- Call your insurance agent first.
- File quickly. This helps them know how much staff they'll need to cover the claims.
- Be patient. The most serious claims will be handled first.
- Keep a list of things you toss and take photos. An agent or claim adjuster might need it.
- Keep receipts for things you buy to help with the clean up. It might be reimbursable.
- Beware of contractor scams. Some might be looking to take a down payment and run, so they ask that you always talk with an agent before you sign anything.
- Let agents know of any changes, such as increases in cost to rebuild.
"When you've got a large-scale event like this, we just ask for patience," a State Farm spokesperson said. "We know that everyone wants to be whole immediately, but there is a priority."
Usually, people understand that their less serious claims may take longer, an agent said.
Byrne said: "We're fine. I don't want to say we're happy, but we're more content than we were two days ago."
He has a message for those unknown people who helped clear out the house before they returned.
"We didn't get their names," he said. "I would love for them to contact us, but it was amazing that people would do that, we owe you big."
WATCH: Drone video shows damage, devastation in Elkhorn after Friday's tornado