Flood insurance claim deadline extended

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Hampton Roads residents who sustained flooding during the nor'easter and had their insurance policies through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) have an additional 15 days to file their proofs of loss, according to NFIP administrators. The extension is being offered due to some difficulties that policy holders may have encountered during the holidays.

The extension has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

NFIP policyholders can report losses by calling their insurance companies or agents. This is the first step in the claims process. Once a loss is reported, it is assigned to an adjuster.

After the adjuster's initial visit, the policyholder may need to contact contractors and meet again with an adjuster to settle on the dollar amounts of losses. After the policyholder and adjuster come to agreement, the proof of loss is filed. Payment is made after the insurance company approves the proof of loss.

To be eligible for a flood insurance payment, policyholders need to have experienced direct physical loss by or from flooding resulting from the November nor’easter / Tropical Depression Ida and they need to have had a policy in effect at the time of the loss.

Additional information about the NFIP is available from local insurance agents, online at www.floodsmart.gov or by calling 1-800-638-6620.