The following information is required to process your claim for damages. Please complete all areas of this form and include documentation of purchase price and repair costs. Missing information may delay the processing of your claim. The information you provide will be investigated and determination made as to the liability of Douglas Electric Cooperative, Inc. (DEC).
All damage claim forms must be fully and properly completed and submitted to DEC within thirty (30) days of the date of the occurrence.
Frequently Asked Questions
DEC’s mission to provide our member owners exceptional service and dependable electric power at competitive rates. No utility or electric power provider is able to guarantee 100 percent continuity of electric service. However, it is DEC policy to investigate claims to determine if the damage was as a result of negligent actions of our staff or caused by an error or omission. DEC does not pay damage claims due to acts of nature, equipment failures, for loss of power, loss of revenue or acts of other parties. In most cases your homeowner’s insurance may cover losses for these types of items. DEC shall not be liable in any event for any special, incidental, or consequential damages, including but not limited to loss of profits or loss of income, whether or not DEC had knowledge that such damages might be incurred.
DEC will conduct an investigation based upon the information you provide on your claim form and internal DEC records and interviews with DEC personnel. This investigation may include an interview with the claimant and may include an investigation at the service address. The submission of this claim form to DEC shall be deemed as your express consent to allow DEC agents and/or employees to gain access to the service address in connection with any underlying investigation without the giving of any additional or further notice. The investigation results will determine whether your claim is accepted or rejected, in whole or in part.
Please allow up to 30 days for claims to be processed. Members may call DEC at 541-673-6616 or email us at claims@dec.coop to check status of a current claim.
Motors and sophisticated electronic equipment often need supplemental protection from power irregularities. It is the owner’s responsibility to have adequate protection against voltage fluctuations, overloads, or loss of phase for three-phase motors or other loads. These additional protective devices are designed to separate the equipment from the power source when fluctuations occur, thereby protecting the equipment.
If your claim is accepted, payment will depend on the extent of damage and value of the property. If the property can be repaired, DEC, or it's insurance provider, may pay the cost of repair. If the property cannot be repaired, DEC, or it's insurance provider, will generally pay reasonable market value for the property at the time it was damaged, or the depreciated cost to replace the property, whichever is less. DEC reserves the right to solely determine whether the damaged property is subject to repair. Any such determination shall be made in DEC’s sole and absolute discretion. In the event any payment for damages is forthcoming, the claimant may be required to execute a written release. Any refusal to sign the required release form shall result in a delay of payment. DEC strongly urges you to check with your insurance carrier prior to submitting your claim to DEC, as your insurance coverage may provide greater compensation.