10/02/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/02/2024 10:32
Washington, D.C. - Today the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and United Policyholders shared resources and tips to help consumers get their wind and flood insurance claims paid quickly, fully, and fairly in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Policyholders are entitled to receive claims payments to the full extent of their insurance policies. Given the nature of this hurricane, it is especially important that consumers whose homes have been damaged due to wind-driven and falling rain (as opposed to flooding) collect all funds available through their home insurance policies, and those with flood insurance get paid promptly and in full. State and federal officials need to hold home and flood insurance companies accountable and make sure consumers are treated fairly.
"Consumers who have been devastated by Helene have every right to get quick and full payments from their home and flood insurance policies," said Douglas Heller, CFA's Director of Insurance. "They have paid insurance premiums all along so that when disaster strikes as it has, they have the resources to repair and rebuild their homes and communities and their lives as quickly as possible."
"If your home or business has been damaged, take photos of the damage, get a complete and current copy of your home, auto (and flood) policies and keep notes on all conversations with insurance company representatives and repair professionals" said Amy Bach, Executive Director of United Policyholders. "If you are being mistreated, learn your rights and speak up! It is critical to be pro-active in the insurance claim process." Visit UP's Hurricane Helene Roadmap to Recovery library for more info and help at www.uphelp.org/helene.
Many Helene victims will find themselves underinsured or even uninsured. Getting independent expert opinions on the cause and extent of damage is important. While home insurance policies cover rain and wind damage from storms, damage from flooding is typically excluded. Most flood policies are sold by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and only a small percentage of Americans carry flood insurance.
In the past, insurance companies have tried to shirk their responsibility after storms where there were both covered damage and flood damage. For example, State Farm paid a $100 million settlement related to allegations that it improperly denied Hurricane Katrina claims or shifted responsibility to the NFIP by arguing that damage came from flooding instead of the hurricane. And a recent investigation by CBS found that after Hurricane Ian, insurance companies changed adjusters' estimates to shortchange impacted homeowners; this should not happen again.
CFA and United Policyholders urge Insurance Commissioners in all impacted states to monitor insurer claim handling and consumer complaints and regulate accordingly.
Insured property owners with damaged property should take the following steps:
Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
850-413-3140
File a complaint: https://apps.fldfs.com/eService/Default.aspx
Georgia Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
404-656-2070 or 800-656-2298
File a complaint: https://oci.georgia.gov/file-consumer-insurance-complaint
North Carolina Department of Insurance
855-408-1212
File a complaint: https://www.ncdoi.gov/contactscomplaints/assistance-or-file-complaint
South Carolina Department of Insurance
803-737-6160
File a complaint: https://sbs.naic.org/solar-web/pages/public/onlineComplaintForm/onlineComplaintForm.jsf?state=SC&dswid=1148
Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
615-741-2241
File a complaint: https://sbs.naic.org/solar-web/pages/public/onlineComplaintForm/onlineComplaintForm.jsf?state=tn&dswid=5372
Federal Emergency Management Agency
1-800-427-4661
500 C St SW, Washington, DC 20024