When Hurricane Irene finally blows out of town Monday it may be time to make one of your most important calls – to your insurance company.

No matter how bad the damage, experts say it’s important to remain calm and file your claims quickly.

Whether you’re a homeowner, a renter or a business owner, the sooner you begin the process, the sooner you can begin putting your home back together.

Here are some tips:

Call your agent. You’ll need to give the company a quick heads-up, said said John Lepore, an agent for Allstate Insurance in Rockaway Park, Queens. Let the agent know the extent of your damage so he can help you compile your report. He may also be able to send clean-up services your way, such as water removal.

Take inventory. Take pictures and/or video to stand as a record to what has been ruined in the storm. Lepore recommends writing down the serial numbers of broken items, if possible. Once you’re finished, place the damaged items in plastic bags. This way, when adjustors come to your home, they will be able to see everything that was lost. Don’t throw anything away.

Make repairs. If your window breaks or your roof is leaking, fix it, Lepore said. This will prevent further damage to your home if the storm is still raging. “You have to take precaution against further damage to your home,” he said. Document it and then fix it.

Keep your receipts. If you bought a pump to move water out of your basement or a new screen door after yours blew away, save the receipts.

Know your policy. Get familiar with what is covered and what isn’t. For example, most homeowners have hurricane insurance – meaning they are insured against wind damage. But if your basement floods due to rising ocean waters, you may be out of luck. Flood insurance is a separate policy and if you didn’t buy it, you don’t have it.

National insurance companies like Allstate and State Farm have adjustors across the country at the ready to come to New York and help expedite claims.

Of course, these companies prioritize on a case-by-case basis. A person who has lost their roof is likely to be helped before someone with a broken window.

(Source: NY Daily News)