If there has been a natural disaster in your area, we hope you, your loved ones, and your home are all safe. If you were impacted in some way, we`d like to know how we can help.

If you have other questions or have concerns about making your payment because of this situation, please call our Homeowner Care Dept at 855-670-4944. Our hours are Monday - Friday, 8am - 9pm ET, and Saturday, 8am - 12pm, ET.

Your insurance company will provide initial assistance and determine the amount of the claim payment(s) based on your property damage. Once you`ve received your claim checks, please have them endorsed by all parties named. Then mail all checks to our Insurance Processing Center:

Regular Mail:
Homestar Financial Corporation
ATTN: Insurance Processing Center
P.O. Box 6501
Springfield, OH 45501-6501

Overnight Mail:
Homestar Financial Corporation
ATTN: Insurance Processing Center
One Assurant Way
Springfield, OH 45505

Once we`ve received your endorsed checks, we will deposit them into a restricted escrow account. Then, as needed, funds will be released for repairs to be made to your property. For more information, please go to our Homestar Financial Corporation Loss Draft FAQ.

If you are in need of insurance information, such as the name, policy, or phone number of your insurance company, please call 800-243-4417. If you have received proceeds from an insurance claim or have questions about a claim, please call 800-243-4482. Our hours are Monday - Friday, 8am - 8pm EST.

Although you can’t prevent a natural disaster from happening, you can be prepared for one. Gearing up for a catastrophe before it happens can help protect you, your family, and your home. To help keep you and your loved ones safe, we’ve provided tips on how to prepare for some of the most common natural disasters.

With wind speeds from 65mph to over 200mph, tornadoes are one of the most destructive natural disasters. They can also strike with little, or no warning. And, although tornadoes are most common in the Plains States, they can happen anywhere. Being prepared is the best thing you can do to stay safe.

• Choose a safe place in your home where you, your family, and your pets will go to during a tornado: a storm cellar, basement, or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.
• Be aware of how your community communicates tornado warnings. Many communities use outdoor sirens while others rely on media and smart phones to alert residents.
• Sign up for severe weather alerts and warnings.
• Collect and safeguard critical documents and records ahead of time.
• Prepare an emergency backpack or storage tub to hold basic supplies, including: bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlight, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, first-aid supplies, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, and a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person in the home. For a complete list of FEMA`s recommended supplies, visit here.
• Visit ready.gov/tornadoes for more info.

Hurricanes are some of the largest and most powerful storms nature can produce. The official Hurricane Season begins on June 1 and ends on November 30, but these powerful intense storms can occur before and after the official season. A hurricane can be a destructive force of nature, that`s why it`s crucial to be prepared.

• Prepare to evacuate by learning evacuation routes, shelter plans, and testing your family`s emergency communication plan.
• Sign up for severe weather alerts and warnings.
• Protect your property by installing sewer backflow valves, boarding your windows, reviewing insurance policies, and cataloging belongings at least once a year.
• Keep important documents and records in waterproof container.
• Prepare an emergency backpack or storage tub to hold basic supplies, including: bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlight, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, first-aid supplies, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, and a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person in the home. For a complete list of FEMA`s recommended supplies, visit here.
• Visit ready.gov/hurricanes for more info.

A body of water, such as a river, stream, or culvert; along a coast; or downstream from a dam or levee.

Get familiar with the types of flood risk in your area. For more information, visit FEMA`s Flood Map Service Center.

• Prepare to evacuate by learning evacuation routes, shelter plans, flash flood response, and testing your family`s emergency communication plan.
• Sign up for your community`s warning system.
• Collect and safeguard critical documents and records ahead of time.
• Prepare an emergency backpack or storage tub to hold basic supplies, including: bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlight, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, first-aid supplies, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, and a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person in the home. For a complete list of FEMA`s recommended supplies, visit here.
• Visit ready.gov/floods for more info.

A landslide is the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. When landslides occur near populated areas, they present major hazards to people and property.

Landslides cause an estimated 25-50 deaths and $3.5 billion in damage each year. Landslides can happen quickly and with little or no warning. The best way to prepare is to stay informed about occurrences near your home that could trigger a landslide.

• Know the landslide risk in your area. Contact local officials to learn local landslide hazards.
• Sign up for your community`s warning system.
• Prepare to evacuate by learning evacuation routes, shelter plans, and testing your family`s emergency communication plan. Prepare an emergency backpack or storage tub to hold basic supplies, including: bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlight, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, first-aid supplies, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, and a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person in the home. For a complete list of FEMA`s recommended supplies, visit here.
• Visit ready.gov/landslides-debris-flow for more info.

A wildfire is an unplanned, unwanted fire burning in a natural area, such as a forest, grassland, or prairie. Wildfires can occur anytime of the year, but they`re more likely to occur during periods with little or no rainfall. If you`re in an area surrounded by brush, grassland, or forest, preparing is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your home.

• Sign up for your community`s warning system.
• Check for, and remove, fire hazards in and around your home, such as dried out branches, leaves and debris.
• Prepare to evacuate by learning evacuation routes, shelter plans, and testing your family`s emergency communication plan
• Learn fire safety techniques and teach them to your family.
• Prepare an emergency backpack or storage tub to hold basic supplies, including: bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlight, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, first-aid supplies, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, and a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person in the home. For a complete list of FEMA`s recommended supplies, visit here.
• Visit ready.gov/wildfires for more info.

FEMA Disaster Assistance Registration: 1-800-621-3362

FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline: 1-866-720-5721

Homeowner`s HOPE Hotline: 1-888-995-HOPE (4673)

Disaster Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990

DisasterAssistance.gov FEMA.gov/disasters

Spanish language instructions: disasterassistance.gov/es

There are three ways to register for FEMA assistance:

• You may apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by downloading the FEMA app on your smartphone.
• Call the toll-free FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
• You can also register at a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. To find out if a Disaster Recovery Center has been set up in your area visit here.

According to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), “disaster assistance may be provided as financial assistance to individuals and families whose property has been damaged or destroyed as a result of a federally-declared disaster, and whose losses are not covered by insurance.” Learn more about available disaster assistance here.