National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in North Carolina who had Hurricane Dorian damage have 60 days from their date of loss to file a Proof of Loss.
FEMA remains committed to ensure policyholders receive every dollar their NFIP policy entitles them.
“Policyholders should do everything they can to submit any remaining requests for payment as soon as possible,” said NFIP chief executive David Maurstad. “Policyholders should continue to work with their insurers and the NFIP will pay all proved and agreed-to claims.”
File your flood insurance claim with your flood insurance agent and compile information you need to support it. Photos, videos and receipts are helpful to establish the value of property and possessions. Check with your agent for requirements.
You may have thrown away certain items before the adjuster could inspect your property but never took photos. It helps if you have the make, model and serial numbers of items like appliances, heaters, furnaces and water heaters.
If you cannot prove that your belongings were brand new at the time of the flooding, the insurance adjuster may depreciate their value. Any information you can produce to show that your property was new or in almost new condition may increase the amount of your insurance settlement.
Policyholders may need to contact their NFIP carrier after the 60-day Proof of Loss deadline to submit an amended claim if they:
- Discover additional direct physical loss by or from the flood during the course of repairs.
- Are unsatisfied with their payment.
- Have not filed a claim since providing notice of the loss to the insurer.
If you have been offered a settlement without payment or consider a payment too low, speak to your insurer and supply documentation to support your request for additional payment.
If your insurer denies all or a part of your claim you may appeal the denial.
To file an appeal, you must do all of the following:
- Explain the issues in writing.
- Include a copy of the denial letter—the letter rejecting part or all of your claim— from your insurer.
- Supply any supporting documentation. This may include photos of your flood damage, itemized estimates signed by a contractor or properly completed drying logs.
There is no fee to file an appeal and you do not need a third party to represent you. If you have a third party represent you, FEMA will not pay for any costs incurred for representation.
You must file your written appeal within 60 days of the date written on the denial letter. As long as the appeal’s envelope has a post-marked date within 60 days of the date written on your denial letter, your appeal will not be considered late.
Send your appeal request to FEMA, 400 C Street SW, 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20472-3010, or FEMA-NFIP-Appeals@fema.dhs.gov. FEMA will receive and begin processing emailed appeals more quickly than those sent via U.S. mail or express carrier. Please note that due to cybersecurity requirements, FEMA cannot access file sharing sites, CDs, DVDs or any electronic storage devices.
If you appeal, you can later choose to file suit against your insurer as long as you are still within the one-year timeframe available to file suit.
FEMA encourages all flood insurance policyholders with questions to talk to their NFIP insurer. NFIP insurers can help make clear how the flood insurance policy applies to your claim and take immediate action.
Policyholders can also contact the NFIP call center at 800-427-4661 with questions about requesting additional payments, or any general questions regarding the NFIP.
For more information on North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Dorian, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4465. Follow us on Twitter: @NCEmergency and @FEMARegion4.
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