PHOENIX -- If your home or car was damaged by last week's monsoon storm, an insurance expert has some tips for you.

A leaky roof, broken windows, dents in the car should prompt a call to your insurance company, said Melissa Stoloff with Allstate Insurance.

"File a claim if something has happened," she said. "If you're not sure, you can certainly call your agent or look at your policy to see what your deductibles are and what is and what is not covered."

Major damages can take a while to process; minor ones can be fixed rather quickly, she said.

Don't be afraid of being dropped by your insurance company or being charged higher rates because of a claim, Stoloff said.

"It's not a direct correlation that if you have a claim, your rates are going to go up," she said. "That's not how it works."

She added, "People think they shouldn't file their claim because they're worried about their rates. You need to do what you need to do to repair your home, your auto and make sure your family's safe. So, certainly, if you have questions, talk to your agent."

The storm should be a reminder for you to do a home inventory, Stoloff said.

"Walk through every room, write down your possessions," she said. "A lot of us think we know what's in our home, but if anything happens, could you go through, room to room, and itemize all your valuables?"

Stoloff added that it's important to keep receipts if you start repairs on your own.