ByWhat You Need to Know About AEP Power Outage Reimbursements
Look around you. How would your life be affected by a lengthy It wouldn't have to last very long before you start experiencing the fallout: Spoiled groceries, inability to safely conduct business, disconnection from the internet, or even injuries.
What can you do to cover your costs when your power goes out? You have two options: Jump through hoops and hope for the best by going it alone, or let DoNotPay advocate on your behalf for the best outcome.
What Causes Power Outage?
There are several causes of an . Some of these are:
| Natural Causes | Strong winds, lightning, snow, ice on the lines, and rain can cause a power outage. A tree branch contacting power lines is an addition. |
| Equipment Failures | Not every time a piece of equipment can do its job perfectly. It requires maintenance and repairs once broken. It includes problems with switches, cables, transformers, etc. |
| Human Error | There are times when we unintentionally contact power lines causing power outages. Examples are traffic accidents and placing an antenna near a power cable. |
| Scheduled Maintenance | Part of maintaining the safety and performance of equipment is maintenance. Sometimes scheduled maintenance is needed to avoid accidents in the future. |
How to Build Your Own Case for an AEP Power Outage Compensation Claim
When you're filing a claim for an , you have to think like a lawyer. And good lawyers try to think of everything. Your best bet at a successful DIY claim is to provide as much evidence as you can.
Learn About the Power Outage
Most power companies have a central outage map that doesn't require log-ins or other steps to view. AEP, on the other hand, segments all its customer service by ZIP code. Therefore, to view the outage map for your area, you'll have to do the following:
- Navigate to the website.
- Enter your ZIP code under "Outages & Hazards."
- On the next page, scroll down and enter your ZIP code again where requested.
- Find your location on the map, and identify any reported outages near you.
- If you don't see any icons for outages in your area, click the "report outage" button.
- Scroll down to and click the "Report Power Outage" graphic.
- Enter your information as requested.
Note the time and date you checked or reported the outage. As you'll see below, writing down any activity related to the power outage will help you with your case.
Document Your Losses and Injuries
You need to prove that you've done your homework when you file a claim for an AEP power outage reimbursement. Here's what we recommend you do if you plan on advocating on your behalf. (Note: some of this information is also important if you plan to let DoNotPay file a claim for you.)
- Note the date and duration of the AEP power outage.
- Note whether you reported the loss of service and what time you made the report.
- Do an inventory of any property that was damaged or lost during the outage.
- Electronics (business, personal, and/or medical)
- Interrupted internet service
- Estimated lost revenue
- Injuries to persons or pets
- Perishable food and medications
- Any other injuries, losses, or damages
- Photograph any injuries or damage.
- Rename digital files with your first and last name to prevent misfiling
- Print out paper copies of your photographs if you plan to send your claim by mail
- Ask your medical provider for an itemized medical bill.
- Have your billing information ready. You may wish to include a photocopy of a recent bill to verify your status as a customer.
Locate the Correct Contact Person
We recommend bypassing any customer service forms or phone numbers to find the right contact for your claim. Call American Electric Power's corporate headquarters at 614-716-1000 and ask for the following information:
- The name of the person and department in charge of damage claims
- The direct line, mailing address, and e-mail of this contact
If you're advocating for yourself, sending your claim to a specific person will make the claims process go faster and, hopefully, more smoothly. It also shows you've done your homework and that you intend to see your claim through.
Send In Your Claim
Organize your documents and write a cover letter (or e-mail) that refers to each as you make your claim. If you're sending in your claim via e-mail, rename your documents and photographs, so they're easily identified.
If you send your claim through the mail, be sure to order delivery confirmation to better track your claim's progress. Unless you were successful in finding the claim's department address, you can send your documents to corporate headquarters:
AEP Corporate Headquarters
Claims Department
1 Riverside Plaza
Columbus, OH, USA
43215-2372
Be sure to follow up by phone or email within two weeks.
How to Let DoNotPay Submit a Claim for You
If you want to get compensation for an outage but don't want the headache of doing it yourself, DoNotPay has you covered in 9 easy steps:
- Go to the Outage Refunds product on DoNotPay.
- Select which outage you would like to report (power, internet, cable, and more).
- Select your energy provider and enter your account number.
- Indicate when the outage started and how long it lasted.
- Verify your account information.
- If you want to be reimbursed for losses related to a power outage, choose whether you want to be reimbursed for personal injuries, damaged property, or both.
- Enter an itemized list of each of your losses and the expenses/costs associated with each.
- Upload documents or photographic evidence that proves your losses. Also, add the names of any witnesses who can attest to your losses if possible.
- Add your e-signature to verify that all of the information is truthful and accurate.
Does DoNotPay Help With Other Types of Outages?
Yes! We'll help you file a claim with any power or internet service provider across the United States, including these:
Why Should You Use DoNotPay?
Trust us with your American Electric Power reimbursement claim because we're…
- Fast—Our AI will find the right contacts, get the right documentation, and send in your claim in just a few moments.
- Easy—You fill out our 9-step questionnaire, and we'll take care of the rest.
- Successful—We advocate on your behalf like "AI Consumer Champions," and give you the best chance at compensation.
Why not let us handle your AEP power outage claim today?