Homeowners Should File For Insurance First
Release Date: September 27, 2004
Release Number: 1552-009
» More Information on Puerto Rico Tropical Storm Jeanne and Resulting Landslides and Mudslides
San Juan, P.R. -- Federal and Commonwealth disaster officials urge individuals holding an active flood insurance policy to contact their insurance agent or company before filing for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“Those individuals who have a flood insurance policy are required to file a claim with their insurance carrier before seeking any assistance from FEMA,” said Peter Martinasco, federal coordinating officer. “There are some residents seeking help from FEMA who have active insurance policies, but they are not even aware that they have coverage.”
After Hurricane Hortense and Hurricane Georges, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico initially purchased three years of flood insurance coverage for homeowners who sustained damages to their homes. The Commonwealth has continued to renew these policies, but because of changes in postal addresses in 1999 many homeowners didn’t receive information on their policy or the renewal notices. In most cases these policies are still in effect and many individuals are not aware that they have insurance coverage for their losses.
“We have identified homeowners in the declared disaster areas who have active insurance policies,” said Martinasco. “The listings of the active policies in each of the affected municipalities are available through the mayors.”
Individuals who have sustained losses to their homes or contents are encouraged to contact the mayor’s office in their municipality to determine whether there is an active insurance policy in effect for their property.
FEMA will seek to recover any funding assistance provided to homeowners who have an active insurance policy, but have received federal assistance before processing a claim with their insurance carrier.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 28-Sep-2004 19:36:25