Hurricane Ida Damage: What To Do If Your Insurance Doesn't Cover Damage

Heavy rain and winds caused severe flooding in New York on Wednesday, September 1. Tropical storm Ida hit five boroughs of the city. The storm led to serious damage homes, abandoned cars on flooded roads, and dozens of deaths. Now, many are beginning to worry that restoring damaged property will cost them a pretty penny, especially given that many New Yorkers do not have flood insurance. The publication told about what to do in such cases. SILive.

Few New York City real estate insurance policies cover flood damage caused by hurricanes. This requires separate flood insurance, and locals generally don't buy it. The fact is that floods in the region are extremely rare and people simply do not want to buy insurance, which, most likely, will not be useful.

Incomprehensible and confusing exceptions to the rule

Insurance policies can also contain incomprehensible clauses, strange exceptions or rules. For example, many policies cover so-called "hazards" or things that harm what a person owns. These “hazards” may include accidental flooding due to pipe rupture; they do not include natural disasters.

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Flood and wind insurance are two separate policies. In most cases, standard owner and tenant home insurance plans do not include these plans. These plans need to be added separately and can cost hundreds of dollars more per year. It also takes about 30 days for the policy to fully take effect. This means New Yorkers who previously had no flood insurance and were hit by Ida were out of luck.

If you do not have homeowner's or renter's flood insurance, it is likely that property loss due to storm-induced flooding will not be covered by regular insurance. But there is a way out.

Help from FEMA

If FEMA and the president approve a major natural disaster declaration for the NYC area, people in the area without flood insurance could be in luck. They will be able to receive funds for the replacement and restoration of damaged property through funds from the United States Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

It is important to note that in order to receive assistance from FEMA, you will still need to first file an insurance claim with the insurance company where your home was insured. Even if you know your claim will be denied by insurance. Only then will you be able to apply for a refund with FEMA.

Be sure to document any flood or wastewater damage. Take photos and videos and, if necessary, store damaged items for evidence.

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You will then be able to submit online application for individual assistance in case of damage caused by natural disaster. You can apply for payments from FEMA if the county in which your home is located is approved as a disaster zone, which in turn includes an individual assistance payment.

FEMA can provide up to $ 33 for home renovations. To find out if you are eligible and to apply, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362.