Dealing with the Aftermath
If you have experienced a flood, you can file your flood insurance claim by following these three steps:
STEP ONE:
After experiencing a flood, contact your agent or insurance company to file a claim. An adjuster should contact you within a few days of filing your claim. If you do not hear from an adjuster, you can contact 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
STEP TWO:
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 of the 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.
STEP THREE:
Your adjuster will provide you a Proof of Loss form for your official claim for damages. You'll need to file this claim with your insurance company within 60 days of the flood. This document substantiates the insurance claim and is required before the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or insurance company can make payment.
You'll 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 because of the sheer number of claims submitted.
Need to Know
ONCE YOU HAVE REPORTED YOUR LOSS
An adjuster will work with your to calculate the value of the damage and prepare a repair estimate.
Please keep your agent advised if your contact information changes. If you are still in a shelter or cannot be easily reached, please provide the name of the designated relative or point-of-contact person who can reach you.
BEFORE THE ADJUSTER ARRIVES
Local officials may require the disposal of damaged items. If you dispose of items, please keep a swatch or other sample of damaged items for the adjuster.
- Separate damaged items from undamaged items. If necessary, place damaged items outside the home.
- Take photographs. Take photos of any water in the house and any damaged personal property. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage and damaged items (e.g., cut swatches from carpeting, curtains, chairs) to prepare your repair estimate.
- Make a list of damaged or lost items and include their age and value when possible. If possible, have receipts for all items available for the adjuster.
- If you have damage estimates prepared by a contractor, provide them to your adjuster since they will be considered in the preparation of your repair estimate.
- Contact your insurance company if an adjuster has not been assigned to you within several days.
Get your pdf. copy of Repairing your Flooded Home published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross to help flooded property owners.
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Learn your Flood risk by calling us at 713-349-0400.