Georgia – Following Hurricane Helene’s devastation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has declared an urgent extension for flood insurance policy renewals for seven states, including Georgia. This action seeks to reduce some of the financial load for people directly affected by the disaster.
Policyholders of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) usually have to renew their policies within 30 days of expiration. For several states, FEMA has now pushed this date to November 26, 2024, acknowledging the unique situation Helene brought. Policyholders in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia who have suffered flood damage from the hurricane are covered by this extension.
Extending the renewal period is a component of a larger FEMA policy meant to help in the impacted areas’ rehabilitation. Underlining the program’s dedication to support its members in trying circumstances, Jeff Jackson, the temporary Senior Executive of NFIP, said this policy change gives policyholders “some breathing room” during a period of great hardship.
This extension will help policyholders whose insurance was slated to expire shortly following the hurricane. For instance, a policy meant to expire on August 28, 2024 originally included a grace period ending on September 26, 2024. This now spans until November 26, 2024, giving policyholders extra time to handle their renewals without running the danger of a coverage lapse.
The extension applies to policies with policy expiration dates beginning Aug. 28, 2024, as follows:
If the policy term ended on: | The grace period would have ended: | But now runs until: |
Aug. 28, 2024 | Sept. 26, 2024 | Nov. 26, 2024 |
Sept. 26, 2024 | Oct. 25, 2024 | Nov. 26, 2024 |
Oct. 15, 2024 | Nov. 13, 2024 | Nov. 26, 2024 |
Nov. 1, 2024 | Nov. 30, 2024 | Nov. 30, 2024 |
Nov. 15, 2024 | Dec. 14, 2024 | Dec. 14, 2024 |
Apart from extending renewal dates, FEMA has also made various adjustments to help the impacted people file claims. Understanding that many are still coping with the immediate aftermath of Helene, the agency has extended the 60-day to 120-day limit for proving loss from the disaster. Policyholders have more time as a result to evaluate the damage and compile required records.
Moreover, FEMA’s Write Your Own (WYO) insurance company partners have been authorized to pay claims based on the adjuster’s reports directly, without requiring the policyholder’s signature on a proof of loss form. Although policyholders requesting more compensation or disagreeing with the adjuster’s assessment can still provide a signed proof of loss along with pertinent information including contractor estimates and receipts, this is meant to expedite the payment process.
Under the new rules, policyholders are advised to start the renewal process by getting in touch with their insurance agents or the insurance company right away. FEMA has set up a helpline at 877-336-2627 to help individuals who might not have the contact information of their agent go through the procedure.
Policyholders may visit the official NFIP website at floodsmart.gov for further details on how to submit a flood insurance claim. This website offers comprehensive tools and advice on navigating the claims procedure and comprehending policyholders’ rights and obligations under the NFIP.
Emphasizing FEMA’s responsibility in not just managing disasters but also in enabling the recovery process for communities, this extension and the extra support measures are part of FEMA’s continuous efforts to help people affected by Hurricane Helene recover and rebuild.