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Tips for homeowners waiting on help from insurance companies and FEMA
By AUDREY M. MARKS
As the county is busy clearing debris to help make way for insurance adjusters to help residents make claims, Attorney Tina Nicholson of Merlin Law Group tells residents to be patient and vigilant in the process.
While the wait may be long until an adjuster is sent to evaluate homes, Nicholson suggests putting that time to use.
“While waiting for adjusters people should make an inventory of everything that’s damaged,” Nicholson said in an interview with The Sun. “Go up in the attic with a flash light, check to see if the siding on your house has damage, if there are shingles loose. Really take responsibility and make a list.”
Before you throw away anything that was ruined in the storm, Nicholson said to add it to the list. This list will be given to the adjuster when they arrive.
When an adjust inspects your home Nicholson said it’s important to get their name and contact information.
“They have hundreds of homes to go through,” Nicholson said. “They are swamped.”
And if they are moving through your home too fast? She said it’s okay to ask them to slow down and look at everything you’ve documented.
In the case of structural damage, where wind and water destroyed homes adjusters should send out an engineer to assess structural damage, Nicholson said.
“Some of the adjusters don’t have a ton of training,” she said. “Ask for an engineer to come out and assess your house especially for structural damage, like if you notice new cracks in your brick house it could have shifted in the high winds and be causing structural stress.
She offers the following advice for homeowners looking to get the most from their insurance providers:
-ask when you can expect to hear back from them regarding your claim.
-ask to get a copy of the adjuster’s estimate. Usually adjusters visit several homes and write the reports letter. Policy holders need to get a copy of the report.
-Read the report carefully and check against your list to make sure nothing was left off.
-If an engineer examines the house, get a copy of their report.
If an insurance company refuses to give you a copy of the reports or photos involved in the claim, Nicholson said this should be a red flag for policy holders.
“In most cases the insurance company is honest,” she said. “All the information they base their decisions on [policy holders] are entitled to have it.”
In most cases homeowners can accept money from an insurance company without giving up their right to negotiate more, Nicholson said.
“You shouldn’t refuse anything,” she said. “You’ll need the money to get started on making repairs. It doesn’t stop you from negotiating and you shouldn’t have to sign a release or settlement before you can get the check.”
For homeowners without insurance or adequate insurance to cover the damage, state and federal aid could be an option.
While FEMA does not provide money for losses covered by insurance, citizens may be eligible for reimbursement for expenses that insurance doesn’t cover.
Those without insurance who have turned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for aid could see rejection letters, the agency warned.
"This letter does not necessarily mean that an applicant is being denied assistance," Federal Coordinating Officer Sandy Coachman said in a statement. "It may mean that FEMA does not have all the information needed to make a decision regarding the applicant's disaster aid. In addition, even well-insured applicants may be eligible for other forms of assistance."
According to the agency, all appeals must be submitted in writing. Applicants need to explain why the decision isn’t correct and include their application number on each page they submit. FEMA suggests submitting repair estimates, receipts, statements and invoices in the appeal or request to increase the amount of money in the award.
Appeal letters should be mailed to: FEMA Individuals & Households Program
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
Letters can be faxed to: 1-800-827-8112
Attention: FEMA Individuals & Households Program
While the wait may be long until an adjuster is sent to evaluate homes, Nicholson suggests putting that time to use.
“While waiting for adjusters people should make an inventory of everything that’s damaged,” Nicholson said in an interview with The Sun. “Go up in the attic with a flash light, check to see if the siding on your house has damage, if there are shingles loose. Really take responsibility and make a list.”
Before you throw away anything that was ruined in the storm, Nicholson said to add it to the list. This list will be given to the adjuster when they arrive.
When an adjust inspects your home Nicholson said it’s important to get their name and contact information.
“They have hundreds of homes to go through,” Nicholson said. “They are swamped.”
And if they are moving through your home too fast? She said it’s okay to ask them to slow down and look at everything you’ve documented.
In the case of structural damage, where wind and water destroyed homes adjusters should send out an engineer to assess structural damage, Nicholson said.
“Some of the adjusters don’t have a ton of training,” she said. “Ask for an engineer to come out and assess your house especially for structural damage, like if you notice new cracks in your brick house it could have shifted in the high winds and be causing structural stress.
She offers the following advice for homeowners looking to get the most from their insurance providers:
-ask when you can expect to hear back from them regarding your claim.
-ask to get a copy of the adjuster’s estimate. Usually adjusters visit several homes and write the reports letter. Policy holders need to get a copy of the report.
-Read the report carefully and check against your list to make sure nothing was left off.
-If an engineer examines the house, get a copy of their report.
If an insurance company refuses to give you a copy of the reports or photos involved in the claim, Nicholson said this should be a red flag for policy holders.
“In most cases the insurance company is honest,” she said. “All the information they base their decisions on [policy holders] are entitled to have it.”
In most cases homeowners can accept money from an insurance company without giving up their right to negotiate more, Nicholson said.
“You shouldn’t refuse anything,” she said. “You’ll need the money to get started on making repairs. It doesn’t stop you from negotiating and you shouldn’t have to sign a release or settlement before you can get the check.”
For homeowners without insurance or adequate insurance to cover the damage, state and federal aid could be an option.
While FEMA does not provide money for losses covered by insurance, citizens may be eligible for reimbursement for expenses that insurance doesn’t cover.
Those without insurance who have turned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for aid could see rejection letters, the agency warned.
"This letter does not necessarily mean that an applicant is being denied assistance," Federal Coordinating Officer Sandy Coachman said in a statement. "It may mean that FEMA does not have all the information needed to make a decision regarding the applicant's disaster aid. In addition, even well-insured applicants may be eligible for other forms of assistance."
According to the agency, all appeals must be submitted in writing. Applicants need to explain why the decision isn’t correct and include their application number on each page they submit. FEMA suggests submitting repair estimates, receipts, statements and invoices in the appeal or request to increase the amount of money in the award.
Appeal letters should be mailed to: FEMA Individuals & Households Program
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
Letters can be faxed to: 1-800-827-8112
Attention: FEMA Individuals & Households Program
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