What to do after the storm

Q. Is it safe to remove debris?

A. It may not be wise to move some debris. Aluminum pool enclosures, for instance, may have sharp edges. Tree stumps can be heavy. Insurance companies don’t want you to make repairs before an adjuster can survey the damage. But they still want you to protect your home from further damage. Holes in roofs should be covered with tarpaulins

Q. How safe is my drinking water?

A. It’s a good idea to boil water before drinking.

Q: How will deductibles work? If another hurricane hits and someone has already filed a claim, will they have to pay the 2 percent deductible twice?

A: This is a wait-and-see situation. Florida Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher is asking the Office of Insurance Regulation to review the question, with the hope that Florida residents will not be charged two hurricane deductibles in one season.

However, if damage from Charley leads to still more damage, that should be covered under one deductible, Gallagher spokesman Justin Glover said. For example, if someone lost part of a roof to Charley and has reported it to the insurance company but hasn’t been able to get it fixed yet, water damage caused by the next storm should be covered under the original deductible, he said.

Q: My neighbor’s tree fell on my home. Whose insurance company is responsible for the damage and cleanup?

A: Yours. Most policies cover damage only within the boundaries of the insured property, regardless of where the tree came from.

Q: My car was damaged in the storm. Will my homeowners insurance cover it?

A: No. You must file a claim with your auto insurer.

Q. Do people with insurance qualify for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Administration?

A. Yes, but typically not until insurance claims are settled. If your claim is not settled by the time your application is evaluated, you will receive a denial letter. Once the insurance claim is settled, you can reactivate your claim.