Don't Forget to Get Reimbursement If You Had a Power Outage — Here's How

There's probably nothing more frustrating than being without electricity for any amount of time, especially when you depend on it to keep your business operational. However, depending on the duration of the power outage, you could be entitled to compensation if your electricity distributor is at fault.

In this guide to power outages and utility companies, explore the crucial steps you can take to check for a power outage in your area. Plus, we’ll outline how you can tell if there are grounds for compensation.

How to Check for a Power Outage

Unfortunately, many homeowners and businesses don't realize that you can play an active role in getting your power restored as soon as it goes out. You don't always have to sit back and wait for your power distributor to restore your power, especially when your entire business relies on it.

One of the most straightforward steps you can take is to call your utility company to report the power outage incident. Here's a simple step-by-step guide on how you can report a power outage to your power company:

• Visit the utility company's website
• Explain the type of outage (whether power is completely out or partially out)
• Enter your zip code in your report
• Include your phone number

Adding your contact information is important to allow the power distributor to reach you in case they need more information regarding the outage location.

How to Get Compensated for a Power Outage

Every homeowner or business is entitled to some compensation in the event of a lengthy abrupt power outage. However, very few people know the steps to follow when seeking compensation for the damages caused by an electricity outage.

When seeking compensation for an outage, you first need to contact your power distributor for a compensation claim form. You will also need to provide sufficient evidence to support your power outage claim to prove that the loss of power led to the loss of revenue and perishable products like foodstuffs.

Once you've submitted your compensation claim form, you will wait for a response from the electricity distributor. Many compensation applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, you might not always get an immediate response from your utility company.

Impact of a Power Outage on Your Business

Homeowners aren't always the only ones who suffer from power outages. Many businesses rely on power to run their supply chains, serve customers, and manufacture critical products. Therefore, without reliable power, a business can immediately face severe outage costs.

There are five common costs of a power outage to your business.

1. Revenue Loss

Any loss of power, whether short-term or long-term, hinders businesses from delivering their products or services as usual. This can cause a significant loss of revenue, which can sometimes take a while to recover from. Customers may also move to businesses that can meet their needs.

2. Damaged Equipment or Inventory

Loss of power can also make your groceries and other perishable products go bad, costing you thousands of dollars-worth of products. A power outage can damage some electrical equipment, especially when there is a power surge.

3. Decreased Productivity

Many businesses are always heavily limited during electrical outages. Office workers cannot log on to their computers because of internet outages or even run machines that get work done internally. Essentially, loss of power can render many job roles useless.

4. Data Loss

Whenever big data centers lose power, there is always a high likelihood of data loss because of a lack of access to the data silos. Large enterprises with vast amounts of cloud computing resources stand a chance of losing much more from power outages.

Use DoNotPay to Solve Your Power Outage Issue

Knowing how to report a power outage in your area and actually getting compensation for the outage are two different things. DoNotPay offers you the perfect solution to report an electricity outage in your area and possibly get compensation for any losses incurred.

If you want to receive compensation for a power outage in your area but don't know where to start, simply follow these easy steps:

1. Go to the Outage Refunds product on DoNotPay.
2. Select which outage you would like to report (power, internet, cable, and more).
3. Select your energy provider and enter your account number.
4. Indicate when the outage started and how long it lasted.
5. Verify your account information.
6. 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.
7. Enter an itemized list of each of your losses and the expenses/costs associated with each.
8. Upload documents or photographic evidence that proves your losses. Also, add the names of any witnesses who can attest to your losses if possible.
9. Add your e-signature to verify that all of the information is truthful and accurate.

As you can see, the process is fairly simple and easy to understand. You never have to let an unscheduled power outage inconvenience you again with DoNotPay.

Why Use DoNotPay to Solve Your Power Outage

Besides helping you with your power outage issue, there are other amazing reasons for using DoNotPay.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

DoNotPay doesn't just offer you an easier way to get compensation for a power outage, you can also use the app to solve other issues, including:

• Robocall compensation
• spectrum internet outage
• Customer services
• PGE power outage
• Oncor power outage
• DTE power outage
• Help with bills
• Insurance claims
• File a complaint
• Parking tickets

You never have to let an unscheduled power outage cost you a loss of revenue or equipment. DoNotPay helps you to file a complaint about a power outage and seek compensation for incurred losses. Contact us today for more information about utility outages and their possible compensation amounts based on your state.