Don't wait to file hurricane recovery claims

Homeowners, businesses and renters who had damage from Hurricane Florence have resources available to help them recover.

Whether it's filing a claim with an insurance agent or seeking federal disaster assistance, officials say there are key things to remember when seeking help.

“This is a messy storm, with a lot of mess down,” said Mike Warren, a Nationwide Insurance agent in Cumberland County.

And if your home has suffered damage, and you have homeowner's insurance, take action now.

“The first thing is take pictures and contact a contractor to secure your house,” Warren said. “Remove any trees, and tarp your house. If there is water in the basement, pump it out and dry it out.”

But, Warren said, don't start permanent repairs to your property.

“If you have structural damage,” Warren said, file your claim with your agent, “and wait for the insurance adjuster.”

Lynn Kelly said her State Farm office in Hope Mills has received around 700 claims since Monday from homeowner policy holders. She also encouraged people to file damage claims quickly.

“The main problem is finding tree people and roofers,'' she said. "They're hard to find right now, but you do need to protect your property, if you can, from further damage.”

For any preliminary work, Kelly said, hang onto receipts.

FEMA

Several North Carolina counties have been designated for individual assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including Cumberland, Bladen, Columbus, Harnett, Robeson and Sampson counties in the Cape Fear region.

Those who have a homeowner’s or a flood insurance policy should file an insurance claim before applying for disaster assistance, a news release said.

"Insurance is your first line of defense," John Mills, who is with FEMA External Affairs – North Carolina, said Wednesday. "By law, disaster assistance from FEMA and the Small Business Administration cannot duplicate insurance payments."

If you apply for FEMA assistance you will need to provide:

• Social Security number;

• Daytime telephone number;

• Current mailing address and address and zip code of the damaged property;

• And, if available, your insurance information.

FEMA may be able to provide temporary accommodations for some storm victims, the release said.

Those who can return home and it is safe, has power, water and sewer or septic tank service, can go to DisasterAssistance.gov to learn if local, state and other community volunteer organization can address damage issues.

Those who cannot return to their home, or if they are unable to live in their home because of hurricane damage, should go to the same website or call 800-621-3362 or (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available; press 2 for Spanish.

After applying for disaster assistance, FEMA said homeowners, renters and businesses may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration, which offers low-interest loans. Information about low-interest SBA disaster loans and application forms are available at SBA.gov/disaster, by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or calling 800-659-2955. If you use TTV, call 800-877-8339.

State help

Residents who need assistance filing insurance claims can get help Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Northwood Temple Church, 4250 Ramsey St. The Insurance Camp is being coordinated by the N.C. Department of Insurance. It also will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.

A Victims Assistance Center will be open Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Eastover Community Center, 4008 School Road. A center will be open Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sampson County Auditorium, 435 Rowan Road, Clinton.

Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at bkirby@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3571.

Residents are urged to take steps to avoid scams as they recover from the storm. Here are some tips provided by the N.C. insurance commissioner:

• Beware of contractors or roofing representatives going door-to-door after a disaster.

• Call your insurance agent or insurance company before signing a contract or paying for repairs.

• Work with licensed and insured contractors.

• Get more than one estimate. Don’t be pushed into signing a contract right away.

• Get everything in writing. Cost, work to be done, the schedule, guarantees, payment schedule and other expectations should be detailed.

• Get references and check them out.

• Ask to see the salesperson’s driver’s license. Write down the license number. Also take down his or her license plate number.

• Never sign a contract with blanks.

• Never pay a contractor in full or sign a completion certificate until the work is completed.

To report suspected fraud, contact the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. 

Beware of disaster scams