WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) call center pilot program to serve and support policyholders with the servicing of their claims.

Flood insurance claims can be complicated, and policyholders may have questions in the days and weeks following a disaster.

The NFIP call center is reachable at 1-800-621-3362, and will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CDT) Monday through Friday. Specialists will be available to assist policyholders with the servicing of their claims, provide general information regarding their policies, and/or offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

For those who prefer to put their concerns in writing, a “Request for Support” form is posted at www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program, which can be filled out and emailed to FEMA-NFIP-Support@fema.dhs.gov or faxed to 540-504-2360.

Call center staff will be able to answer questions, such as “How do I file a flood insurance claim? What type of documentation is needed? Can I still obtain disaster assistance even though I have a flood policy?” as well as more complicated insurance questions about the extent of coverage, policy ratings, and more.  The call center will also be open to disaster survivors who have general questions about the NFIP.

“Flood insurance provides residents with the ability to protect themselves financially against the most common disaster we see in America,” said Roy Wright, Deputy Associate Administrator for the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration. “We’re providing this new resource to ensure that the people we serve have another way get information they may need to understand how flood insurance works and how to navigate the claims process.  This hotline also provides us with a direct connection to policyholders themselves should they have concerns to report about how their claims are being handled and enabling us to take prompt action to ensure that they receive every dollar they are owed under their policies.”

Flood insurance plays a critical role in assisting survivors on their road to recovery. Like other types of insurance, it does not cover all losses, but it is the first line of defense against a flood. While the policy payouts won’t make the insured whole, our top priority is to ensure policyholders get what they are due under their coverage. This initiative is part of FEMA’s ongoing commitment to effective, long-term improvements to the NFIP.

 

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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.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Excerpt from: 

National Flood Insurance Program Call Center Opens for Policyholders and Disaster Survivors Nationwide

WASHINGTON – A recent Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) survey found that nearly 60 percent of American adults have not practiced what to do in a disaster by participating in a disaster drill or preparedness exercise at work, school, or home in the past year. Further, only 39 percent of respondents have developed an emergency plan and discussed it with their household. This is despite the fact that 80 percent of Americans live in counties that have been hit with a weather-related disaster since 2007, as reported by the Washington Post. With the number and severity of weather-related disasters on the rise, the America’s PrepareAthon! is an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities to take action to prepare for specific hazards through group discussions, drills, and exercises.

“When it comes to preparedness, practice makes perfect,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “America’s PrepareAthon! is about taking action now to better prepare yourself, your family, and your community to be ready to respond to these events before they occur.”

America’s PrepareAthon! is a national community-based campaign that provides free, easy-to-use guides, checklists, and resources to get more people to take action to prepare every day. On April 30, individuals, families, workplaces, schools and organizations will come together to practice simple actions to stay safe before, during, and after emergencies relevant to their area. Examples include:

  1. Sign up for local text alerts and warnings and download weather apps to your smartphone.
  2. Develop an emergency communication plan for your family. This will help you be in touch if a disaster strikes and family members are in different locations.
  3. Collect important documents and keep them in a safe place. This will help you evacuate without delay and get back on track after the disaster passes.
  4. Gather emergency supplies. Pack a “go bag” to evacuate quickly and have supplies in the home to be safe without water or power.

Visit the America’s PrepareAthon! website, ready.gov/prepare to take action, be counted and spread the word.

America’s PrepareAthon! was established to provide a comprehensive campaign to build and sustain national preparedness as directed by Presidential Policy Directive-8. The campaign is coordinated by FEMA in collaboration with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations.

Source: 

Sixty Percent of Americans Not Practicing for Disaster: FEMA urges everyone to prepare by participating in National PrepareAthon! Day on April 30

Tips to file a flood insurance claim

Main Content

Release date:

January 14, 2015

Release Number:

14-001

SEATTLE – As Washingtonians deal with the aftermath of severe storms and flooding that occurred a week ago, the recovery process may include a flood insurance claim. There are three steps to file a claim with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP):

  1. Contact your insurance agent.
  2. Document your damaged property.
  3. File a Proof of Loss form within 60 days of the flood.

More details are available at www.FloodSmart.gov.

Keep in mind as you go through this process:

  • You do not need to wait for a Presidential Disaster Declaration to file a flood claim.
  • Your policy cannot be canceled for making a claim.
  • A flood insurance policy is typically separate from a homeowner’s insurance policy.

For general flood insurance questions, call your insurance company or agent or contact the NFIP at 800-638-6620 directly or through 711-Relay.

Last Updated:

January 14, 2015 – 12:13

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Originally posted here:  

Tips to file a flood insurance claim

EATONTOWN, N.J. — After Hurricane Sandy struck New Jersey in October 2012, thousands of volunteers from across the nation came to the state to help affected shore towns.

That help was sorely needed and greatly appreciated by residents of these stricken communities. But the volunteers’ work had an additional benefit – these municipalities can receive credit for the hours put in by volunteers that translates into dollars saved on the costs of recovery – and that credit can be substantial.

FEMA reimburses municipalities as much as 90 percent of the cost associated with disaster recovery projects including debris removal, repair, and reconstruction of public facilities. The communities are responsible for the remainder. However, they can apply the volunteer hours/cost of labor to their share of the overall project cost, which can lead to substantial savings for taxpayers.

Enacted in 2007 and revised in February 2014, FEMA Disaster Assistance Policy 9525.2 allows towns to offset their share of eligible costs with volunteered and donated resources, provided that they keep records of volunteers’ hours worked and duties performed and equivalent information for equipment and materials.

Eighty-seven percent of New Jersey’s non-police public safety workers (firefighters, EMTs, paramedics) are volunteers, the highest rate in the United States.

More than 250,000 volunteers came to the Jersey Shore to help towns and residents clean up, saving the state over 64 million dollars through their volunteer labor.

They fought fires, distributed meals to displaced survivors, set up and staffed emergency shelters, removed debris, prepared and dropped sand bags, and performed search-and-rescue operations and safety inspections, among other duties. They have contributed more than 2.5 million man-hours statewide.

To calculate what the volunteered labor and equipment would have cost, FEMA consulted with the New Jersey Department of Labor to determine the market value for jobs performed on site, including volunteer equipment operators. Donated equipment was valued according to FEMA’s “Schedule of Equipment Rates” unless it is included in a reimbursed equipment rate, in which case it does not count toward the credit. The cost of materials such as sand, dirt, rocks and other materials used to fight floods was set at the commercial rate at the time the work was done. The total amount of expenses for the project is multiplied by .111, which is the percentage of the non-Federal cost share (10 percent) divided by the Federal cost share percentage (90 percent), to get the maximum credit allowed for donated resources.

The credit is deducted from each town’s out-of-pocket obligation after its bills have been paid off and/or mitigated. At present, Union Beach is expecting a credit of approximately $700,000 for volunteer work and donated supplies, a number that will increase if more records are turned in. It is anticipated that Union Beach’s final credit amount will completely cover its 10 percent share of storm-related costs, which could total approximately $9 million. Sea Bright is currently eligible for a credit of more than $450,000. Lakewood Township has been approved for $31,000 of a potential $165,000, while Keyport is eligible for up to $158,000 and has been obligated for more than $21,000 in credits for volunteer efforts.

The policy puts the responsibility on the municipalities to keep track of the volunteer resources used, and those volunteer contributions must be carefully documented. FEMA has its own tracking forms and instructions, and the Volunteer and Donations Management Support Annex provides federal support and recommendations to state, tribal and local governments for managing donated resources.

There are restrictions on what work qualifies for the credit. All work eligible for credit must be done on public property or must benefit the public in some tangible manner, such as distributing food and supplies. Work done for private homeowners is not eligible. For emergency services, only response time is eligible for reimbursement. Donations from other federal agencies cannot be applied.

Also, the amount credited cannot exceed the 10 percent of the incident’s cost that the applicant is responsible for. Any excess credit can only be applied to other emergency projects being handled by that applicant.

Volunteers are still coming to the Jersey Shore to help with relief efforts. The work and time they put in helps restore those communities in more ways than one.

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.

Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/FEMASandywww.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/fema, www.fema.gov/blog, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.”

Original article: 

Volunteers Can Give Sandy-Stricken Towns, Taxpayers a Break

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

DENTON, Texas – Residents, business and residential renters, and business owners in Bellaire, Texas can now enjoy a 5 to 15 percent reduction in flood insurance premiums because of the city’s active participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS).

This means those policyholders who reside in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) will receive a 15 percent reduction on flood insurance premiums, and policyholders located outside the SFHA will enjoy a 5 percent discount.

In addition to lower premiums, the rating program helps to reduce the threat of damage from flooding, according to officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “The flood insurance program rewards communities for implementing programs and policies that protect their residents from flooding,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Bellaire’s higher regulatory standards, public education outreach, drainage system maintenance and effort at developing additional flood data, among other activities, have earned the city lower premiums as a CRS Class 7 Community.”

The reduction in flood insurance premiums represents an annual savings in premium costs for Bellaire policy holders and will take effect at the time a new policy is written or an effective policy is renewed. Those individuals and business owners with a Preferred Risk Policy will not receive premium rate credits under the CRS because it already has a lower premium than other policies.

The city’s participation in the program has been beneficial in many respects. In addition to the reduction in insurance premiums, local officials are more knowledgeable about floodplain management and residents are more knowledgeable about mitigation and flood insurance.    The CRS program has helped make Bellaire a safer place to live, reduced the economic impact of flood hazards and saved their citizens money on flood policy premiums.

CRS is a voluntary program for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)-participating communities. The intended goals of the CRS are to reduce flood losses; facilitate accurate insurance ratings; and to promote the awareness of flood insurance.  For more information on the NFIP’s CRS program, visit http://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-community-rating-system.

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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.   Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6  and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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Bellaire, Texas Celebrates a Safer Community

DENVER —With mountain snowpack high and rainy months on the way, now is the time to buy flood insurance, say state and federal emergency management officials.

In most circumstances, there is a 30-day waiting period from the time the policy is written and the premium is paid until the policy goes into effect. That means a policy purchased today, April 2, would not go into effect until May 2. It also means that a policy purchased a few weeks from today might not be in effect when spring runoff starts.

National Flood Insurance Program policies are available for homeowners, businesses and renters and include coverage for the structure and contents. Policy limits are $250,000 for residential structures and $100,000 for residential contents. Business structures and contents can be insured for up to $500,000 each. Renter content policies are available with a limit of $100,000.

As many survivors of last September’s disaster can attest, small creeks and even dry ditches can quickly turn into wide raging rivers. In fact, most flood insurance payments across the country are paid out to people who did not live in a Special Flood Hazard Area, or floodplain.

People who do live in a Special Flood Hazard Area, and who have a federally backed loan, are required to carry flood insurance. Also, anyone who lives in an A or V flood zone, and who received Individual Assistance from FEMA for last September’s flood damage, must have flood insurance or they will jeopardize federal assistance for any future flood declaration.

Flood insurance is available only to people who live or own businesses in a participating community with an approved flood hazard plan. To find out if you live in a Special Flood Hazard Area, contact your floodplain manager through your local or county government.

People with flood insurance can collect payments for damages sustained in most flooding events, even if the flooding does not result in a disaster declaration.

The process and the rules can get complicated, so emergency officials urge anyone thinking about flood insurance to contact an insurance agent for more information. To find an agent or for more information on flood insurance, visit floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531.

See more here: 

Now is the Time to Buy Flood Insurance

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.—Take advantage of a new year to make your family safer in the face of future disasters.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency encourages Illinois residents to resolve to rebuild stronger and smarter, reducing the risk of potential devastation caused by events like the Nov. 17 tornadoes.

Through New Year’s Day, FEMA will offer simple tips and ideas to construct and maintain a home that can better withstand weather risks your community faces. This information will be posted and updated on FEMA’s Illinois recovery website FEMA.gov/Disaster/4157 as well as Facebook.com/FEMA and Twitter.com/FEMAregion5. Learn about rebuilding techniques and tips such as:                                                                                                                   

  • Reinforcing your Residence. Retrofitting your home can provide structural updates that didn’t exist when it was constructed. For instance, a homeowner can install straps to their roof’s structural beams to make it strong enough to resist the “uplift” effect of high winds that can cause it to lift and collapse back down on the house.
  • Fortify those Floors. Homeowners can secure their structure to its foundation by using anchors or straps. This can minimize the chances of a home moving off its foundation during events like tornadoes and earthquakes.
  • Trim & Tighten. Consider cutting away any dangling tree branches that pose a threat to your home and securing outdoor furniture and fuel tanks that can serve as projectiles during high wind events.
  • Elevation is a Smart Renovation. Flooding is a real risk in Illinois and elevating your home and its critical utilities can significantly reduce the risk of water damage. Contact your local floodplain manager to learn your flood risk and elevation requirements for your residence.
  • Assure You’re Fully Insured. Take the time to review your insurance coverage. Are you adequately insured for the risks your community faces? Are you covered for wind, flood or sewer back-up coverage? Has your policy been updated to reflect the value of your home? Contact your insurance agent to get these questions answered and ensure your home is financially protected.                                                                                                  

Survivors can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or with a smartphone or tablet by visiting m.fema.gov. They can also register and get questions answered over the phone by calling FEMA’s helpline, 800-621-FEMA (3362). Survivors who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.                                         

For the latest information on Illinois’ recovery from the Nov. 17 storms, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4157. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, facebook.com/fema and youtube.com/fema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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. 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-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA News Desk: 217-522-2080

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Resolve to Rebuild Safer and Stronger in 2014

DENVER – FEMA has an important message concerning who may file a federal flood insurance claim.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy holders in any Colorado county are eligible to file a flood claim. Policy holders do not have to live in a disaster-designated county.

Any Colorado resident covered by NFIP with flood damage should file a claim within 60 days of the date of loss. As an example, if the flood damage was on Sept. 10, the claim must be filed by Nov. 9.

To date, NFIP has paid out $22 million to Colorado policy holders this year.

Floods are the most common and costly natural disasters in the United States.

NFIP policies are sold and serviced through many private insurance companies. The policies cover physical damage to a building or personal property that is directly caused by a flood. For example, damage resulting from a sewer backup is covered if the problem is a direct result of flooding. However, if the backup is caused by something else, the damage is not covered.

Please also refer to floodsmart.gov for more information about flood insurance.

Link to original: 

Any Colorado Resident with an NFIP Policy has 60 Days to File a Claim

DENVER – As the November 14 deadline draws near for filing flood damage claims, survivors may have questions or need additional information regarding any determination their insurer might make regarding their claim.

If an insurer sends a written denial of the claim or part of a claim, an owner can appeal this determination.  To file an appeal, follow these four steps:

  • Talk with the adjuster first regarding any questions about the claim.
  • If a satisfactory resolution isn’t reached, get contact information for the adjuster’s supervisor.
  • If the adjuster’s supervisor can’t resolve the issues, contact the insurance company’s claim representative. Ask the insurance agent or company representative for assistance.
  • If questions or concerns remain after steps one through three are completed, send a written letter to FEMA within 60 days from the date the denial letter was received from the flood insurer. Address this letter to: 

FEMA

Mitigation Directorate

Federal Insurance Administration

1800 South Bell Street

Arlington, VA 20598-3010

The letter should be written by the person named on the NFIP policy or by their legal representative.  If someone other than the policy owner writes the letter, clearly identify the relationship to the insured.

The letter of appeal must contain the following six items:

  • Policy Number as shown on the NFIP policy declarations page
  • Policyholder’s name as shown on the NFIP policy declarations page
  • Property address as shown on the NFIP policy declarations page (not a mailing address)
  • Contact information—where and how the policyholder can be reached
  • Complete details of the concerns
  • Dates of contact and contact details for the person(s) spoken with in steps one through three

Documentation of everything that supports the appeal should also be included, including a copy of the insurer’s written denial and a statement of the basis of the appeal. (Keep originals, send only copies.)

Examples of the kinds of documentation that FEMA requires can be found in the FEMA Flood Insurance Claims Handbook and downloaded at: http://tinyurl.com/pp8vz4l

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MDT, seven days a week; or online:  DisasterAssistance.gov. Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

Original link:  

Four Steps to Appeal Your Flood Insurance Claim

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