One certain way FEMA and National Flood Administrators get out of paying otherwise valid flood insurance claims is to require strict and timely requirements. Citing an internally generated and fraudulent 99% closure statistic, the National Flood Program denied a request to extend the timeline for filing Proofs of Loss for Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Maria … Continue Reading
As advocates for victims whose lives have been turned upside down as a result of the devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, and Hurricane Maria, we know that one year may not be enough time for flood victims to obtain the estimates and documents necessary to submit their required proof of loss form … Continue Reading
Proof of loss rules are not what I normally think about Kentucky. Kentucky usually makes me think of beautiful rolling hills, great basketball, fast horses and the Kentucky Derby. But, we recently had some questions about proof of loss in Kentucky and thought we would share our findings.… Continue Reading
Although we are over 5 years past Hurricane Sandy, flood insurance coverage issues are still being litigated. I previously wrote about a decision out of the U.S. District Court of the District of New Jersey, Migliaro v. Fidelity National Indemnity Insurance Company.1… Continue Reading
Over the past several months the United States has experienced significant and unprecedented disaster events: Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria, California Wild Fires, and more.… Continue Reading
Beginning on August 9, 2016 and lasting through August 31, 2016, numerous parishes in Southeast Louisiana1 experienced prolonged, torrential rainfall and flooding. By the end of the days-long Great Flood event of 2016, several states were included in disaster declarations due to the same weather system. Though flooding to this extent is usually associated with … Continue Reading
The purpose of a sworn proof of loss is to enable the insurer to properly investigate the circumstances of a loss while the occurrence is fresh in the minds of the witnesses, to prevent fraud, and to enable it to form an intelligent estimate of its rights and liabilities so it may adequately prepare to … Continue Reading
Truthfully, we asked Amy Bach of United Policyholders to help request an immediate extension. As the oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated solely to advocating for policyholders, she has a lot of pull and respectful working relationships with those administrating the National Flood Program.… Continue Reading
After watching my video, many may think those who fortunately purchased hurricane flood coverage will be paid promptly and for the full amount. Please read our prior posts about what has happened in the past with National Flood Adjustments:… Continue Reading
Hurricane Harvey flood insurance deadlines are extended for one year. This is fantastic news and everybody should congratulate the National Flood Program for the extension.… Continue Reading
FEMA should grant extensions for flood proofs of loss as we asked in a letter to Deputy Associate Administrator Roy E. Wright and Administrator Brock Long: My father was a former Coast Guard Admiral for the United States Coast Guard and I grew up along our Country’s coastline. I have seen the devastation and the … Continue Reading
FEMA has announced a fourth extension on the deadline to submit a flood Proof of Loss for Louisiana policyholders affected by the 2016 Mid-Summer Storms, commencing on August 9, 2016, and ending August 31, 2016. Policyholders now have until Friday, September 1, 2017, to submit a Proof of Loss form.… Continue Reading
On March 28, 2017, the Assistant Administrator for Federal Insurance, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, issued a memorandum to Write Your Own (WYO) Company Principal Coordinators, NFIP Direct, and Independent Adjusters, titled “WYO Company Acceptance of Electronic Signatures” (W-17008).… Continue Reading
Insurers on occasion deny coverage or make claim decisions based on one ground, and then later, during litigation, seek to avoid liability based upon an entirely new defense theory. Although coverage decision letters regularly throw in boilerplate language seeking to avoid waiving coverage defenses, I was recently asked whether an insurer can deny coverage or … Continue Reading
A recent case out of the District of New Jersey addressed language in the Standard Flood Insurance Policy (“SFIP”) that permits the insured to bring suit within one year after “the date of the written denial of all or part of a claim.”… Continue Reading
I received a question in response to my post about the second extension of time FEMA granted for Hurricane Matthew policyholders to submit their completed, signed, and sworn to proofs of loss for flood damage.… Continue Reading
On February 3rd FEMA Assistant Administrator David Maurstad issued WYO Bulletin W-17002, granting an additional 90-day extension for Louisiana policyholders to submit a complete, signed, and sworn proof of loss for their flood claims caused by the mid-summer storms commencing on August 9, through August 31, 2016.… Continue Reading
I just returned from the Windstorm Insurance Network Conference in Orlando, Florida, where both defense and policyholder professionals discussed and debated important topics in the property/windstorm insurance claims industry.… Continue Reading
Insurance policies containing conditions pertaining to an insured’s obligation to submit a notice and proof of loss are “meant to give the insurer the necessary facts to facilitate an investigation of a claim and to protect it against fraudulent and excessive claims.”1… Continue Reading
Happy Holidays to property owners with Hurricane Hermine flood claims. FEMA has provided a further 30-day extension for Hurricane Hermine claimants to file flood proofs of loss. The deadline is now 150 days from the date of loss.… Continue Reading
When making a non-flood claim for Hurricane Matthew related damage to your insurer you must comply with the insurance policy’s post loss conditions. This includes the timely filing of a Sworn Proof of Loss form. Generally, Proof of Loss provisions are worded in one of two ways. The first only requires that the proof be … Continue Reading
FEMA recognizes that the 60-day proof of loss deadline for flood damages relating to Hurricane Matthew was causing an undue burden on policyholders and has provided an extension.… Continue Reading
Property owners with Hurricane Hermine flood claims are now feeling extra thankful this week. FEMA has just further extended the deadline for Hurricane Hermine claimants to file flood proofs of loss to another 30 days. Now the deadline is 120 days from the date of loss.… Continue Reading
