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Insurance Claim Tips

September 4, 2017

Taking a little extra time before filing a claim will help reduce errors and speed up the claim process.  Here are a few tips to help with the claim process and get you started on the road to recovery.

Before contacting your agent

In order to speed up the claims process, have the following information ready: address, policy number, date and time of the loss/damage, and your contact information-especially if you are unable to stay in your home.

Gather all evidence of loss

  • Make a detailed list of missing and damaged property-compare the list to your property inventory if you have it.
  • Video or photograph your damaged property before beginning any repairs.
  • Do not throw away throw away damaged property without your adjuster’s approval.
  • Document the value of each object damaged/lost. Include bills of sale, canceled checks, and credit card statements.  Estimate the value and record dates and locations of purchases if you don’t have any receipts.
  • Make a list of cleaning and repair bills; including materials, rented and purchased equipment. Save all receipts.
  • If you are unable to stay in your home, record any additional living expenses such as car rental, hotel and restaurant bills.

Put the evidence in a safe place

Make a copy of all your evidence for the adjuster and keep the original documents in a safe location to prevent them getting lost or damaged.

Review your policy before you contact your agent

Knowing your policy can help reduce confusion during the claims process.  Have a copy of your policy on hand when meeting with your adjuster.

Start a log documenting your claim

Create a contact log and record information for each contact with your insurance company.  Include dates, conversation summaries and names, titles, and contact information of claims personnel.  This will help speed up the claims process.

Don’t rush to settle your claim.  Allow enough time to evaluate and document the full extent of the damage, as some damage may not be immediately apparent.

Registering for FEMA Assistance

September 4, 2017

FEMA is traveling to shelters to help Fort Bend County residents register for FEMA assistance.  They cannot help families who have already registered with updating, correcting, or answering questions on their claims. If you are getting assistance with registration at a shelter, be patient! There are a lot of people waiting and the process is not quick.  You can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or through the FEMA app to quicken the process.

FEMA Inspectors

September 4, 2017

There are FEMA inspectors in Fort Bend County conducting investigations. 

FEMA will contact you to schedule an appointment to do an inspection.  Always ask to see the FEMA inspectors’ identification; report any concerns you have about a FEMA inspectors’ legitimacy.  The FEMA inspector should have your FEMA claim number that is given to you when you registered for assistance.  If the inspector does not know the claim number then they are not from FEMA. For more information on FEMA scams and fraud go to here.

FEMA inspectors have to take pictures of your home and your damage. 

They cannot base the damage off of neighboring homes.  This means they will need access to your home.  FEMA cannot inspect your home until the streets are dry and it is safe to enter, so if your home or area is still flooded it will take longer for FEMA inspectors to get there.  They cannot be boated into a home to do an inspection. Please be patient, recovering after a flood is a long process.

FEMA inspectors DO NOT determine your eligibility 

FEMA assistance is provided to eligible applicants in accordance with the Stafford Act, the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and FEMA policy. The eligibility decision is determined by those regulations and policy, not by an inspector. An inspector only reviews and records an applicant’s disaster caused damage.  As an applicant, you have the right to appeal if you don’t agree with FEMA’s eligibility decision. 

Click here for an update on FEMA Inspectors. 

Look Out for Scams and Fraud / Estar Atento para Las Estafas y el Fraude

September 4, 2017

Be On Alert for Disaster-Related Fraud and Scams

Watch for and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud from scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals. Scam artists can become active in your area after a natural disaster.  They sometimes travel door to door pretending to be a government official, utility worker, or inspector. Remember that FEMA does not charge for application fees and they do not endorse any commercial businesses, products or services.

Reporting Fraud and Scams

To report disaster fraud, there are several options:

  • Call the FEMA Waste, Fraud and Abuse Hotline at 1-800-323-8603 or TTY 1-844-889-4357. You don’t have to give your name.
  • Fax the DHS Office of the Inspector General (OIC) Hotline at 202-254-4297.
  • Email FEMA’s Office of the Chief Security Officer (OCSO) Tipline at FEMA-OCSO-Tipline@fema.dhs.gov.
  • Write to:
    • DHS Office of Inspector General, Mail Stop 0305
      Attn: Office of Investigations – Hotline
      245 Murray Lane SW
      Washington, DC 20528-0305
      http://www.oig.dhs.gov

Spotting a Scammer Tips

  • Check their identification. Always ask for identification before letting someone in your home.
  • If you are unsure, call the organization to confirm their identity.
  • Always lock your doors. Some scam artists work in teams. One may distract you while another enters your home unnoticed.
  • Guard your information. Some scam artists may try to steal your identity from forms and applications that you fill out. Take applications to the agency yourself or mail them out.

 

Esté en alerta para fraudes y estafas relacionados con desastres

Vigile y reporte cualquier actividad sospechosa o fraude potencial de estafadores, ladrones de identidad y otros criminales. Los estafadores pueden ser activos en su área después de un desastre natural. A veces viajan de puerta en puerta fingiendo ser un funcionario del gobierno, un trabajador de servicios públicos o un inspector. Recuerde que FEMA no cobra por las cuotas de solicitud y no respalda ninguna empresa comercial, productos o servicios.

Reportar Fraude y Estafas

  • Comunique el Fraude a  https://www.oig.dhs.gov/ y llene el Formulario de Envío de Referencia de Investigación de OIG del DHS.
  • Si no puede usar el Formulario de Envío de Referencia de Investigación de OIG de DHS, por favor envíe su alegación por correo a:
    • DHS Office of Inspector General/MAIL STOP 2600
      Attention: Office of Investigations – Hotline
      245 Murray Drive SW, Building 410
      Washington, DC 20528

Consejos Para Detectar Un Estafador

  • Revise su identificación. Siempre pide identificación antes de dejar que alguien entrar a su casa.
  • Si no está seguro, llame a la organización para confirmar su identidad.
  • Siempre cierre las puertas con llave. Algunos estafadores trabajan en equipo. Uno puede distraerle mientras que otro entra en su casa inadvertido.
  • Guarda su información. Algunos estafadores pueden intentar robar su identidad de formularios y aplicaciones que usted llena. Lleve las solicitudes a la agencia usted mismo o envíelas por correo.

How to Start a Claim with FEMA / Cómo Iniciar Una Reclamación con FEMA

September 4, 2017

 

A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration from Hurricane Harvey (DR-4332) was made for the state of Texas, including Fort Bend County, on August 25, 2017.

Register and apply: Register with FEMA and submit your application.

  • You may register for FEMA assistance over the phone or online. We encourage those who are able to register online, as there may be frustrating wait times for the phone line.
    • Online: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
    • Phone: 1‑800‑621‑FEMA (1‑800‑621‑3362)

When you register for disaster assistance either online or by phone, you will need the following to complete your application:

  • Social Security number
  • Address of the location where the damage occurred (pre-disaster address)
  • Current mailing address
  • Current telephone number
  • Insurance information
  • Total household annual income
  • Routing and account number for your checking or savings account (this allows FEMA to directly transfer disaster assistance funds into your bank account).
  • A description of your disaster-caused damage and losses

For more details and FAQs on the process, visit: https://www.fema.gov/individual-disaster-assistance

 


Una Declaración de Desastre Mayor Presidencial del Huracán Harvey (DR-4332) fue hecha para el estado de Texas, incluyendo el Condado de Fort Bend, el 25 de agosto de 2017.

Regístrese y aplique: Regístrese en FEMA y envíe su aplicación.

  • You may register for FEMA assistance over the phone or online. We encourage those who are able to register online, as there may be frustrating wait times for the phone line.
  • Usted puede registrarse para asistencia de FEMA por teléfono o online. Animamos a aquellos que pueden registrarse online, ya que puede haber tiempos de espera frustrantes para la línea telefónica.
    • Online: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
    • Teléfono: 1‑800‑621‑FEMA (1‑800‑621‑3362)
  • When you register for disaster assistance either online or by phone, you will need the following to complete your application:
  • Cuando se registre para asistencia en caso de desastre, ya sea online o por teléfono, necesitará lo siguiente para completar su aplicación:
  • Número de Seguro Social
  • Dirección del lugar donde ocurrió el daño (dirección anterior al desastre)
  • Dirección Postal Actualmente
  • Número de Teléfono Actualmente
  • Información de la Compañía de Seguros
  • Ingreso Anual Total del Hogar
  • Enrutamiento y número de cuenta para su cuenta de cheques o ahorros (esto le permite a FEMA transferir fondos de asistencia por desastre directamente a su cuenta bancaria).
  • Una descripción de los daños y pérdidas causados por un desastre

Para más detalles y preguntas frecuentes sobre el proceso, visite: https://www.fema.gov/individual-disaster-assistance

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