I've lived in Lubbock a long time and recent severe weather has produced the biggest and most forceful hail that I have ever seen here.

After the storms passed, my husband and I surveyed the damage to our roof, house and garage door and decided that we should call our insurance agent.

With all the severe weather we have experienced from rain, hail, wind and flooding, how do you know when to make a claim?

I talked with a local insurance agent and she said that it's always good to make a claim even if you're in doubt that it's necessary. "Making a claim itself will not hurt you," she told me. Then, if your insurance company needs to pay for any damage, then so be it.

She added that since insurance adjusters are overwhelmed with claims due to recent severe weather, you can take your vehicle to your automotive repair place and get an estimate or even call your roofer to have them estimate the damage. She said that will be helpful to your agent and adjuster.

I asked the insurance agent about flooding. She said that most people think they are covered for flooding, but that's not the case.

"The average homeowner's insurance policy doesn't cover flooding," she said. "The only people who have flood insurance generally and especially in West Texas are those living in a flood plain where flood insurance is required."

I talked to our roofer and he did advise against getting an estimate first. He said to always wait for the insurance company to survey the damage and go from there.

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