While we have been lucky to avoid a direct impact from Hurricane Irma, there is much to be prepared for tomorrow especially between the hours of 10am and 3pm. A 4 to 6 foot storm surge is expected in our area coming at a time of an unusually high tide. Couple that with the rainfall and this is a recipe for disaster in many of the coastal areas and areas already susceptible to flooding in Charleston. Below is a link to find how a 4 to 6 foot inundation will effect your property.
https://coast.noaa.gov/slr/#/layer/slr
FLOOD CLAIMS INFORMATION
The National Flood Insurance Program outlines the steps you should take if you sustain flood damage to you property on their website. These steps are as follows. First file a claim. While waiting for the adjuster to come to your property to inspect the damage, prepare by:
“Before entering, make sure it’s safe to re-enter the building.
Take as many photos and or videos of your flood-damaged property both on the outside and the inside of the building and label them, by room, before you remove anything–including items of exceptional value. For items like washers & dryers, hot water heaters, kitchen appliances, televisions, and computers, make sure you take a photograph of the make, model, and serial number. This information should be provided to the adjuster.
Remove your flood damaged items:
- For your building items (e.g., flooring), retain samples such as carpet, wallpaper, and drapes for your adjuster’s inspection.
- For your personal property items, separate the damaged from undamaged items for your adjuster’s inspection.
- Immediately throw away flooded content items that pose a health risk, such as perishable food items, clothing, cushions, pillows, etc. after photographing them.
- Confirm your available NFIP coverage. Some policyholders may only have building or contents (personal property items) coverage; not both.
3. Contact repair services if the building’s electrical, water, or HVAC systems are damaged. It’s important to consult your adjuster or insurance carrier before you sign any agreement/contract with a cleaning, remediation, or maintenance contractor.
4. Contact your community building department and floodplain administrator to get information:
- Whether your property was substantially damaged;
- Tips on how to better protect or repair your home; and
- Obtaining a building permit. This is a very important thing to do so you build or repair in compliance with local ordinances.”
FILING YOUR CLAIM:
Due to the high amount of flood claims that will be placed with flood insurance carriers related to Irma, please call your provider’s claims number as soon as damage is discovered to get in line for an adjuster to contact you. Our office will be open Tuesday to help navigate your claims, but if at all possible, please get your claims in immediately and call our agency to follow up. Flood insurance carriers most commonly used by our agency and their corresponding claims numbers can be found below. To speed up the claim filing process when calling direct please have your policy declarations page, contact information, property location address and any mortgagees listed on your policy readily available.
- Selective Insurance Company – 877-348-0552 or floodclaims@selective.com
- Assurant/American Bankers Insurance Company – 1.800.423.4403 or myfloodclaim@assurant.com
- Nationwide Flood (Formerly Harleysville Mutual Flood Insurance) – 1-800-892-8877
- Wright Flood Insurance – 1-800-725-9472 or Floodclaims@weareflood.com
- National Flood Insurance Program Direct – 800-621-FEMA (3362)
We are anxious to return safely to the office and help aid in any claims handling. Please stay safe.