NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Residents of Virginia who sustained flooding damages from the November nor’easter / the remnants of Tropical Depression Ida and who had insurance policies backed by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) have an additional 15 days to file their proofs of loss. This extension is being granted in recognition of the difficulties that NFIP policy holders may have encountered while trying to schedule meetings with adjusters and contractors during the Holiday Season.
A proof of loss is a sworn statement from the policyholder that substantiates the insurance claim and is usually required to be submitted within 60 days of the loss. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the NFIP, approved an additional 15 day extension so policy holders have additional time to submit their paperwork.
NFIP policyholders can report losses by calling their insurance companies or agents. This is the first step in the claims process. After a loss is reported, it is assigned to an adjustor, who contacts the policy holder for an inspection. "The new deadline gives flood victims additional time to fully explore the extent of their damage and prepare their claims," said Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer Regis Phelan of FEMA. "The holidays may have caused delays in proof of loss submission for many homeowners, so we have extended this deadline to ensure that each individual has enough time to properly access their dwellings."
After the adjustor’s initial visit, the policyholder may need to contact contractors and meet again with an adjustor to settle on the dollar amounts of losses. After the policyholder and adjustor come to agreement, the proof of loss is filed. Payment is made after the insurance company approves the proof of loss.
To be eligible for a flood insurance payment, policyholders need to have experienced direct physical loss by or from flooding resulting from the November nor’easter / Tropical Depression Ida and they need to have had a policy in effect at the time of the loss. It is not necessary for the policy to still be in effect when the loss is reported and the proof of loss filed. Additional information about the NFIP is available from local insurance agents, online at www.floodsmart.gov or by calling 1-800-638-6620.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.