Damage Responsibility
During severe storms, you may experience damage or loss of property to your home or business. The BWL understands that storm-related damage to property can impose a significant personal and financial burden on our customers.
When the damage or loss is caused by an act of nature, such as a storm, wind or lightning, the BWL is not legally responsible for the damage or loss. These types of damages and losses may be covered by your business, homeowners or renters insurance policy.
Please review your insurance policy or check with your insurance agent for possible coverage.
BWL Electric Service Rules & Regulations
The BWL Rules & Regulations for Electric Service govern the standard of service to our customers, and state in part:
The Board supplies 60 Hertz alternating current throughout its service area and will endeavor, but does not guarantee, to furnish a continuous supply of electric Energy and to maintain voltage and frequency within reasonable limits.
The Board shall not be liable for interruptions in the service including without limitation, phase failure or reversal, or variations in the service characteristics, including but not limited to variations in frequency and voltage or for any loss or damage of any kind or character occasioned thereby, due to causes or conditions beyond the Board's reasonable control, and such causes or conditions shall be deemed to specifically include, but not be limited to, the following: acts or omissions of Customers or third parties; operation of safety devices except when such operation is caused by the negligence of the Board; absence of an alternate supply of service; failure, malfunction, breakage, necessary repairs or inspection of machinery, Facilities or equipment when the Board has carried on a program of maintenance consistent with the general standards prevailing in the industry; act of God; war; action of the elements; storm or flood; fire; riot; sabotage; labor dispute or disturbance, or the exercise of authority or regulation by governmental or military authorities.
Notwithstanding any other provision of these rules, the Board may interrupt, curtail or suspend electric service to all or some of its Customers in accordance with the provisions of the Board's Emergency Electrical Curtailment procedures or as necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of its employees or Customers, or the reliability of its Electric Distribution System. The Board shall be under no liability with respect to any such interruption, curtailment or suspension.
How to Request a Claim
If you believe that the BWL caused damage to your property, please call our Risk Management line, (517) 702-6167 to request a BWL Claim Form or download the PDF form.
Complete and submit your claim following the instructions provided. Each claim is investigated and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Submittal of a claim is not a guarantee of payment.