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Hermine Survivors Get 30 More Days to Submit Proof of Loss

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Homeowners who have a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy and have damages or losses from Hurricane Hermine have been granted a 30-day extension to turn in a Proof of Loss.

A Proof of Loss is a policyholder’s statement of the amount of money being requested, signed and sworn to by the policyholder, along with documentation to support the amount requested initially, and any requests for additional payment. Policyholders must submit a Proof of Loss (www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/9343) directly to their flood insurance company within 90 days after the date of the flood loss.

The Proof of Loss statement is included in the claims package that documents your flood losses. It is important to understand the Proof of Loss is not the claim. A policyholder who suffers flood damage to NFIP insured property has only one claim arising from that event, regardless of the number of Proofs of Loss with documentation packages the policyholder may submit in support of that claim.

The claims packages should include:

Photos or video of your flood damage;
A comprehensive and itemized list of what was damaged;
Receipts, if possible, for damaged items along with any other supporting documents that show the value of what you lost.

Both state and federal officials encourage you to closely monitor the insurance claims process after reporting your loss. Once the documentation is submitted, an insurance adjuster hired by the NFIP insurer will inspect the property. The adjuster may also provide information about the flood insurance claims process.

Here are some tips to guide you through the process to ensure you receive all eligible insurance funds for your recovery:

What to Do Before an Adjuster Visits

Take pictures of the damage.
Write down a list of your damaged contents.
Immediately dispose of flood-damaged items which pose a health risk, such as perishable food items, clothing, cushions and pillows. Cut off and keep a 12-square-inch sample of building materials like carpets and drywall to show your flood adjuster, and set aside other damaged personal property items like furniture, televisions and electronics.
Have documents related to your damage ready for inspection. This may include contractor’s estimates and repair receipts.
Also keep your policy number and insurance company information handy.

What Happens During an Adjuster’s Visit

An insurance adjuster will contact you within 24 to 48 hours to schedule an appointment.
Ask to see the adjuster’s official identification when he or she visits.
The adjuster will take measurements and photographs and document your damage. They will provide you with their contact information and, if required, the adjuster may revisit your property.
After your home is inspected, the adjuster will complete the covered estimate of loss and provide you with a copy of it, along with a Proof of Loss form.
A FEMA inspector or flood insurance adjuster will never ask for money, approve or disapprove claims, or tell you whether your flood insurance company will approve your claim.

What Happens After an Adjuster’s Visit

The adjuster will collect all of the necessary information and documentation during the initial visit and will contact the policyholder as the claim progresses to an agreement and closure.
If you disagree with the resolution of your claim, ask the adjuster to show how they arrived at the figure(s) and explain the policy if an item was excluded from coverage, even though you feel it should be covered.
If the adjuster and insured are unable to come to an amicable agreement, the policyholder may hire an independent contractor to prepare an estimate for flood related damage.
Within 60 days after the loss, send the insurer a signed and sworn Proof of Loss.

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to begin processing your claim.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery visit fema.gov/disaster/4280, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog, floridadisaster.org or #FLRecovers.

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Hermine Survivors Get 30 More Days to Submit Proof of Loss

What to Expect After South Carolina Survivors Call FEMA

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency is the first step to getting federal disaster assistance.

After you apply, FEMA will send you a copy of your application and a copy of “Help After a Disaster: Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals and Households Program,” which will answer many of your questions.

This publication explains how FEMA’s disaster assistance program works; describes additional kinds of help you may qualify for from other federal, state and voluntary agencies; and gives you many important tips on how best to make all these programs work for you.

After You Register

If your home or its contents are damaged and you are uninsured or underinsured, verifying disaster damage is part of the process to establish the amount and type of damage you suffered.

You will get a call from an inspector who has construction background and is fully qualified to do the job. Inspectors are private contractors who wear official FEMA ID badges. If you have concerns with the legitimacy of a FEMA housing inspector, you should contact your local law enforcement as they will be able to validate their identification.

Authorized inspectors will only confirm personal detailed information that you previously provided during the registration process, such as your registration number. They never charge for an inspection.

The U.S. Small Business Administration and various insurance companies also have inspectors in the field. You may also see preliminary damage assessment teams in your area.

Inspector’s Call

After you register – either online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) or visiting a disaster recovery center – a nine-digit application number is assigned. An inspector will then call to schedule an appointment to visit your damaged property – generally no longer than 10 days after registration.

Inspector’s Visit

Keep the scheduled appointment to make sure the assistance process moves quickly. The inspection should take typically 10 to 20 minutes. You – or someone who is 18 or older and lived in the household prior to the disaster – must be present for the scheduled appointment. Inspectors will review both structural and personal property damage and file a report, but they do not determine eligibility or determine the value of damage or losses.

A FEMA inspection is not an insurance inspection. If you are covered by insurance, you should contact your insurance company immediately as FEMA cannot duplicate payments.

Proof of Ownership or Occupancy

The inspector will ask for identification and proof of ownership and occupancy (for homeowners) and occupancy only (for renters). You can speed up the process by having the appropriate documents on hand:

A photo ID to prove identity, such as driver’s license or passport.
Proof of occupancy, such as a lease, rent payment receipt or utility bill.

Proof of ownership, such as a deed, title, mortgage payment book, property insurance policy or tax receipts.

After the Inspector’s Visit

You will receive a letter from FEMA containing a decision within 10 days of the inspector’s visit. If you are eligible for assistance, the letter will be followed by a check or an electronic funds transfer. The letter explains how the money can be used. You may receive a low-interest disaster loan application in the packet from the SBA. You do not have to accept a loan. However, you must complete the application and return it to SBA to remain eligible for other types of federal assistance, such as FEMA grants.

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’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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What to Expect After South Carolina Survivors Call FEMA

How to Handle the FEMA Flood Insurance Claims Process

OKLAHOMA CITY – As the waters recede and Oklahomans begin to assess the damage caused by the severe storms and flooding that washed across the state this spring, questions start to arise about how and when those with National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies should file claims.

The first step is notification. Homeowners, renters and business owners with NFIP coverage should immediately report flood damage to their insurance company or agent. A claims adjuster will inspect your damages, estimate the repair costs, and send an estimate to the insurance company for review and payment approval.

As part of their claim, policyholders are required to submit a “Proof of Loss” statement which includes an estimate of the damages on both your structure and its contents. Insurance companies usually provide this form and in most cases will help you fill it out. A “Proof of Loss” is not a release of claim, but a statement of loss facts and damages claimed.

Your claims package should be supported by photos of water in the structure and the resulting damage. You should also compile an itemized list of all flood damage and retain swatches of carpets or fabrics that were damaged. Be sure to make copies of the insurance claim, proof of loss and all other supporting documents for your own records.

An important point to keep in mind is that you do not have to accept the initial estimate of the damage prepared by the claims adjuster. All issues should be addressed with the adjuster and the company’s management. However, if you believe the claims adjuster did not address all of your flood damage in their estimate, you can file a supplemental claim for the additional damages. For example, there may have been hidden damage not detected by the claims adjuster during their property inspection.

Be aware there are strict deadlines for filing flood insurance claims. Regardless of whether you agree with the claims adjuster’s estimate, your proof of loss statement must be submitted to the NFIP or the insurance company within 240 days of the loss. This extension of the 60-day policy wording is specific to the current Oklahoma flood.

If your claim is denied, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established a formal appeals process. You can start this process as soon as the insurance company issues its final determination in the form of a written denial (in whole or in part) of your claim.

The written appeal must be filed within 60 days of the insurance company’s final claim determination. FEMA will acknowledge receipt of your appeal in writing and advise if additional information or documents are required for full consideration of your appeal. Next, FEMA will review your documentation and conduct any additional investigation needed. Finally, the policyholder and their insurance company will be advised of FEMA’s decision regarding the appeal.

Even if you file an appeal with FEMA, that does not relinquish or replace your right to file a lawsuit against the insurance company, nor does it expand or change the one-year statute of limitation to file suit against the insurer for the disallowed portion of your claim.

To avoid conflicting results and duplicated effort, a policyholder who files suit against an insurance company is prohibited from filing an appeal with FEMA under this process. As a result, homeowners are encouraged to file an appeal with FEMA first.

Oklahomans who don’t have NFIP insurance – and who sustained losses or damages in the May 5 through June 4 storms – may be eligible for state and federal assistance. You can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 (Voice or 7-1-1/ Relay) or TTY 800-462-7585. For information about U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) programs, applicants should call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

Even if you have a NFIP policy, you may also be entitled to FEMA Individual Assistance payments for housing allowance, contents losses, or moving and storage expenses.

For more information about flood insurance, go to www.FloodSmart.gov. For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4222 or visit OEM at www.oem.ok.gov.

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The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers services to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

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How to Handle the FEMA Flood Insurance Claims Process

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

NFIP Proof of Loss Claims Due By Nov. 14

DENVER—National Flood Insurance policyholders whose homes or other structures were damaged by flooding have until November 14, 2013, to file claims for their losses.

A Proof of Loss form includes detailed estimates of the cost to replace or repair damaged property.

Proof of loss substantiates the damage claim and is required before the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can make payment. File damage claims with your NFIP insurance company and work with your adjuster to get the proof of loss forms.

If owners notice additional damage to buildings or property, they can file supplemental claims. To do this, immediately notify the insurance adjuster, document the newly discovered damage, then repeat the documentation and filing process used on the original claim. Owners are urged to keep a copy of this packet.

Policy owners who would like to speak to someone in person regarding their claim are urged to go to their local Disaster Recovery Center where staff members are available to provide assistance. To find the DRC closest to you, go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers

For more information about flood insurance, go to floodsmart.gov

Register with FEMA by phone: 800-621-3362 or online at: 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.

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NFIP Proof of Loss Claims Due By Nov. 14

FEMA Grant Recipients Must Keep Their Receipts

AURORA, Ill. – If you received money from FEMA to help recover from the April 16 to May 5 flooding, you must keep the receipts or bills for which the money was used for three years.

FEMA assistance must be used for eligible disaster expenses only, as identified in the approval letter from the agency. You must save documentation that demonstrates how the funds were used in meeting your disaster-related needs. Examples of proof of use include:

Receipts for items purchased for home repair.
Contractor invoices.
Proof of hotel room charges if you received housing assistance.
Rent payment receipts if you received housing assistance.
Receipts for moving and storage expenses.
Receipts for repairing or replacing personal property.

More information on FEMA programs for individuals and households can be found in the “Help After a Disaster” guide. The guide was mailed to each applicant, but also is available online at fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

Individuals can get status updates online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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FEMA Grant Recipients Must Keep Their Receipts