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NEW YORK (CBS) ― We've been bringing you the pictures and stories all weekend of the damage that the Nor'easter has wrought on our area. Now we have to start thinking about the fix-up. From your car, to your apartment or condo, to your home, what is covered by insurance? And what's just a write-off?

It's a lot of confusing information you need to digest before you pick up that phone to call your insurance company. With winds picking up, tree damage -- much of which we've already seen -- is going to continue to be a big problem.

Here's the problem: a tree comes through your roof or a branch tears through a window. Water comes pouring in. You call your agent right away, yes? Actually, with water or wind damage you want to assess your particular situation before you call.

Keep in mind, your deductible, and how much you'll really have to pay out of pocket. Since you could be facing Increased rates or, as homeowners have already seen, being dropped from coverage. Insurers have been shrinking their exposure with Northeast clients due to global warming and the Hurricane threat.

Now, if you do have a claim in the thousands of dollars, your insurer can direct you to "Preferred Contractors." Their work is guaranteed by the insurance company, so you want to get to them quickly.

We've seen so much flooding. Yet you're only covered if you have federal flood insurance, right? Those policies only cost about $300 a year, but most insurance agents say people don't get them until they've already had a flooding problem. And water in the basement can be devastating, especially if it's finished. The federal policy provides up to $250,000 coverage. The problem, only structure is covered. That would be walls, heating/air conditioning and your washer and dryer. But no other contents, no family room furniture, no workout equipment, media room, personal belongings.

Linda in Hillsborough, N.J. had an interesting question via our website. Her agent says her policy doesn't apply to groundwater intrusion and she had damage to her finished basement. What are her options?

Water back up coverage, bought as a rider to your homeowner's policy, means you need to have a sump pump in place, and the adjuster must decide it was a back-up, not flooding. In that case, your contents of the basement, just like anywhere else in the house, are fully covered.

So can anyone else help Linda? The Consumer Services Bureau of N.Y. State's Insurance Department does review and work to resolve claims. And once a state is declared a disaster area, that can open up low interest loans to homeowners.

Next, your car. It's under water. Or it's been crushed by a tree. Whether in your driveway, at your mom's house, or on a city street, the damage is all paid for. BUT, only if you pay for the comprehensive coverage on your auto policy. So none of this is considered "an act of God," it's all covered under insurance.

One last parting tip, if you have an agent, call her to pick her brain on whether you should file or not depending on the financial impact on your insurance rates, or even being dropped.

The following are contacts to State Insurance Departments:

CONNECTICUT
William Mulhall, Director Consumer Affairs Division
State of Connecticut Insurance Department
800-203-3447
153 Market Street, 11th Floor
Hartford, Connecticut 06103

NEW JERSEY
Paul DeAngelo, Assistant Commissioner Enforcement & Consumer Protection
Dept of Banking and Insurance, State of New Jersey
609-984-2444
20 West State Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08625

NEW YORK
Salavatore Castiglione, Chief Consumer Services
New York Insurance Department
800-342-3736
25 Beaver Street
New York, New York 10004-2319

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