Don’t Forget to File a Flood Insurance Claim

MONTGOMERY, Ala. ‒ Homeowners and business owners who experienced flooding during the April 28 to May 5 presidentially declared disaster should file a claim for flooding loss as soon as possible, as claimants must file for their losses within 60 days of the event. 

Contact your agent or insurance company to file a claim. An adjuster from the insurance company should contact you within a few days of filing a claim. If you do not hear from an adjuster, call your insurance agent or company again. Make sure you have the following information handy:

  • The name of your insurance company.
  • Your policy number.
  • A telephone and/or email address where you can be reached at all times.

Remember, a flood insurance policy is usually separate from your homeowner’s policy, which in most cases does not pay for flood claims.

Next, separate damaged from undamaged property. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage to your home and possessions to prepare your repair estimate.

  • Take photographs of all damaged property, including discarded objects, structural damage and standing floodwater levels.
  • Make a list of damaged or lost items and include their date of purchase, value and receipts, if possible.
  • Officials may require disposal of damaged items, so if possible, place flooded items outside of the home.

Finally, your adjuster will provide you with a Proof of Loss form for your official claim for damages. Remember, you must file this claim with your insurance company within 60 days of the flood – or by the end of June.

This document substantiates the insurance claim and is required before the National Flood Insurance Program or insurance company can make payment.

You will receive your claim payment after you and the insurer agree on the amount of damages and the insurer has your complete, accurate and signed Proof of Loss form. If major catastrophic flooding occurs, it may take longer to process claims and make payments due to the sheer number of claims submitted.

For general flood insurance questions, call the National Flood Insurance Call Center at 800-427-4661directly or through 711 Relay or contact your insurance company or agent.

 

Excerpt from:

Don’t Forget to File a Flood Insurance Claim

Purchasing — and MAINTAINING — Flood Insurance is a Great Investment at Any Time

DENVER – There’s a hidden threat that strikes countless unprepared Americans each year – flooding.  Unlike fire, wind, hail or most other perils, flood damage is not covered by a homeowners policy. An uninsured flood loss can undo a lifetime’s worth of effort and create a mountain of bills. Fortunately, a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy provides the defense against such losses and can ensure that a flood doesn’t bring financial ruin.

Flooding is an ever present threat; it can happen at any time and in virtually any location. While certain areas may be more prone to flooding – especially those in coastal areas or riverine environments – history has shown that almost no place is immune to flooding.  Flooding can have many causes: a quick heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt can cause flash flooding, a blocked culvert or storm sewer drain can create flooding in a city neighborhood, or prolonged wet weather can swell streams and rivers. Even dry conditions can pose a threat, as minimal rainfall in wildfire burn areas or drought stricken regions can create flash flooding when soils are unable absorb even slight precipitation.

Flood insurance is easy to get, the only requirement is that you live in a participating community (which might be a county or other jurisdiction for those living in unincorporated areas). That’s right; you don’t need to live in a floodplain to purchase a policy. In fact, if you live outside a floodplain you may be eligible for a preferred risk policy that has a much lower premium than for a policy in a higher flood risk area. And in most cases you can purchase an NFIP policy with the insurance agent you already deal with for other insurance needs.  When that isn’t possible, NFIP can put you in touch with another agent that can get you a flood insurance policy.

One key difference of an NFIP policy from another insurance policy is the 30 day waiting period prior to the policy going into effect. But that doesn’t mean anyone should view a policy like a lottery ticket, something purchased only if flooding appears imminent. A policy should be viewed as protection against a continuing threat rather than a hedge against a singular event such as anticipated spring flooding or flooding following a wildfire.

The average cost of flood insurance is about $650 a year – less than $2 a day for financial protection from what could be devastating effects of a flood to one’s home or business. By purchasing a policy now, or keeping your existing policy, you have peace of mind. As with any insurance, be sure to talk with your agent about the specifics of your policy – how much coverage you need, coverage of contents as well as structure and any other questions you might have.

Find out more about your risk and flood insurance at www.floodsmart.gov. To purchase flood insurance or find an agent, call 1-800-427-2419.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

###

Originally posted here: 

Purchasing — and MAINTAINING — Flood Insurance is a Great Investment at Any Time

FEMA Opens Flood Response Office for Connecticut Flood Insurance Policyholders

National Flood Insurance policyholders who suffered damage from Hurricane Sandy and who have questions about their flood insurance claims can get help from a new office in Meriden.

Those with questions about their homeowners insurance, which does not cover flood-related claims, should direct their inquiries to the state Insurance Department.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program has opened a Flood Response Office to service both National Flood Insurance Program policyholders and the agents who write those policies.

The Flood Response Office is located at 1064 E. Main St., Meriden, CT 06450. Operating hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, until further notice. The contact person at the office is NFIP General Adjuster Jim Cavazos. The office will remain open for as long as there is a need for the service.

The Flood Response Office will coordinate with insurance companies that write flood policies and the NFIP Direct Servicing Agent to provide guidance, define the scope of coverage, assist with the reinspection of losses and answer policyholders’ questions. The office number is 203-634-1118.

The Connecticut Insurance Department has a number that policyholders can call if they are having issues with their insurance companies related to homeowners insurance claims or other insurance matters in the wake of Sandy. Call the Consumer Helpline at 860-297-3900 or 800- 203-3447.

Policyholders can also email their questions or complaints to the Insurance Department at: cid.ca@ct.gov or visit the Department’s Web site at http://ct.gov/cid

For more information on National Flood Insurance, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

See the original article here – 

FEMA Opens Flood Response Office for Connecticut Flood Insurance Policyholders