Flood Insurance Information

In response to an appeal on Michelle Malkin's Page, here is some info on filing flood insurance claims.

Here is a link to the FEMA Flood Insurance Claims Handbook .

According to the handbook, take the following steps after a flood. To be honest, in this case, some of these steps are a little rediculous, but don't give your insurance company an excuse to deny your claim.

Step 1. Contact your insurance agent or insurance company to let them know you have a a claim. Here is a list of insurance companies from the FEMA website for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. (If those links don't work, here is the main search page. Don't know your insurance company name, call your mortgage company--they will know. The Handbook says that you should have your policy number available, but I don't know any of my policy numbers, they can look it up by social security number.

Step 2. Separate Your Property. For those people who live in New Orleans, obviously not helpful, but others should start to separate damaged and non-damaged property. THROW NOTHING AWAY UNLESS REQUIRED TO BY LAW. If you have to throw something away, FEMA says to photograph it. The claims adjuster will need to look at the property to determine payout.

Step 3. Make a List of Damgaged Property. This is your personal property along with an esitmate of cost. For many people in affected areas, this is going to be important and difficult. The pre-flood steps say to make a complete list of property with value. Since many people might not have done this, you are going to have to do the best you can. Market prices on items can be helpful.

Step 4. List Areas of Structural Damage to your home. REbuilding is a while away, but if you can, make this assessment.


Filing Your Claim will require a proof of loss within 60 days. FEMA has the power to extend that 60 day deadline. FEMA will notify your insurance company and local news about the extension. Given the severity of this event, an extension is very likely BUT DO NOT RELY ON IT. Get you claim process started now.

There is a lot of information in the Handbook about flood claims. Refer to it and your insurance policy. Here is a summary of flood insurance coverage. Here is the homepage of the National Flood Insurance Program. Got a condo? Go here, it includes information about timeshares as well.

Linked to Michelle Malkin.