NFIP Payouts to Matthew Victims Top $162M

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid out more than $162 million to victims in the five-state area hit by Hurricane Matthew—Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said in a news release Dec. 2. In Georgia alone, payouts to Hurricane Matthew disaster survivors are more than $6.5 million in paid claims.

Georgians have filed 1,054 claims with the program as of close of business Nov. 30. More than $2.5 million in advance or partial payments of the $6.5 million was expedited to disaster survivors in the state immediately following the storm.

Matthew touched in October. Some 20,751 claims were filed across the five states stemming from the storm event, with $64.4 million in advance payments.

Georgia residents with a flood insurance policy who have not filed a claim for Matthew damage are encouraged to file a “Notice of Flood Loss” with their flood insurance company. All policyholders with flood loss are also required to submit a “Proof of Loss,” within 60 days of the event.

Adjusters will ask for photos of damage and any documents related to it, such as contractor bids for repairs. Policyholders disagreeing with the adjuster’s figures may ask for an explanation. Appeals may also be made for contested amounts as described in the Flood Insurance Claims Handbook available from your insurance agent.

More than eight out of every 10 claims for assistance for Hurricane Matthew damage in Georgia (82 percent) involved wind damage, which is usually covered by private homeowner’s insurance. Flood damage usually is not.

Available through local insurance agencies, flood insurance can only be purchased in communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program and adopting and enforcing floodplain management ordinances.

Topics Flood Georgia