FEMA Extends Super storm Sandy Proof of Loss Requirement for Flood Victims
Nov
16
Written by:
11/16/2012 2:37 PM
FEMA (National Flood Insurance Program) Conditional and Partial Waiver of the Proof of Loss Requirement – Meteorological Event Sandy for the 18 States effected.
As background, FEMA through the National Flood Insurance Program has a requirement in its flood policies that requires the policyholder to file a proof of loss form with supporting documentation of their damages for building and personal property within 60 days of the loss. This has always been an extremely challenging deadline--but a mandatory one and fatal to a policyholders claim if not met.
FEMA, as in the past for other large Cat (catastrophic) events, has now issued a waiver for Super Storm Sandy. Based on our experience with many other Cat events, this waiver was expected due to the large geographic area and extreme wide spread damages. It also will aid in the very difficult challenges policyholders are facing to scope their losses, document building and personal property losses, and realistically price all of the items given market conditions with the demand surge in pricing and the expected shortage of some building items and skilled trade people. While not a panacea, this waiver will help struggling businesses and homeowners and their representatives come to grips with their flood claims as a result of saltwater and other toxic materials set loose in Sandy’s fury.
We are pleased to provide the official Memorandum issued by FEMA dated November 9, 2012 regarding the 60-day requirement to file a proof of loss and most importantly granting a 1 year extension to file for a supplement claim should the policyholder disagree with the initial adjustment offer. Please read this memorandum in its entirety as it is very specific to claim filing appeal timelines, as well as coverage dispute matters. Read memorandum
If you have questions regarding any property insurance related issues that Hurricane Sandy may cause please call 800.321.4488 or contact us to submit a question to one of our loss assessor experts. As always, the professional public insurance adjusters at Tutwiler and Associates are here to help with any questions you may have. Please visit www.PublicAdjuster.com to stay updated on the insurance claims process and tips for your insurance claim.
Copyright ©2012
2 comment(s) so far...
Re: FEMA Extends Super storm Sandy Proof of Loss Requirement for Flood Victims
I read the memorandum dated November 9th. My adjuster was a real big jerk and without boring you will all the details in between, he submitted a report stating I had 52k of damage. The settlement team at Allstate called with this wonderful news, however, seven diff contractors say that I need 220k to fix my place . Prior to the report being sent to me I had contacted the adjusters supervisor because he was giving me such a hard time, and the supervisor agreed that I should receive all the things the dopey adjuster was leaving out. Well apparent ply the supervisor p forgot to take care of me. The ins co said that I can't do anything else buys file a supplemental claim, however, supp claims are meant to be for any new damage . my damages have been there since day one but the adjuster never addressed it. So.... Now I will file a loss if claim, however my question is .......is this filing a loss of claim the same as filing a supplemental claim. It matters because i prefer to exhaust all other options before pursuing a supplemental claim which i know takes several months to deal with. Also should I cash the 53k or let it go?
Thanks.
By Marybeth stafford on
1/10/2013 10:55 PM
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Re: FEMA Extends Super storm Sandy Proof of Loss Requirement for Flood Victims
So sorry to hear about your trouble. It’s bad enough to have had this storm damage to your property and now add insult to injury in the adjusting process. I would not agree that a supplement claim is for new damage only. A supplement claim for damage, unless defined in the policy, can mean damages that have been missed or newly discovered but still came from the original loss event.
But you do need to pursue this matter aggressively. While you have not told me where your loss is, you can contact one of our Cat adjusters, let them look at your paperwork and perhaps meet you at the loss in person. It is very important to see the damages in order to determine who is correct, and what is legitimately covered. If this is a flood loss, I assume you received an advance which you hopefully have a copy of.
Please read the section in this blog about the flood advance form. If you have a copy, it may tell you the reserve amount that was set on your file (the amount they expect to pay on your claim). Again, if this is a flood loss you should have no problems cashing the check as long as it was not sent with a release of claim or any type of language stating that it is a full and final settlement etc.
Finally, as I do not have all the details, you may want to have a attorney write a letter for you before cashing the check along the lines that it is being taken without prejudice and is considered a partial settlement etc.
Please feel free to contact me directly at 813 293 1624 or by email at tutwiler@publicadjuster.com or at our New York Cat office phone #516-415-1235. Be persistent.
By Charles R. Tutwiler on
1/12/2013 2:35 PM
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