In a surprisingly candid and clear report on FEMA and its efforts post-Katrina, CBS News released a story on the 25th detailing what Slidell mayor Ben Morris calls “an indescribable nightmare that most people would not believe.”
An EXCERPT:
CBS News has learned that since January 1, nearly 80 employment-related complaints have been filed by staff at the office.
As reported by WTJV, a South Florida condominium company was awarded nearly $30 million in damages and attorney fees after taking insurance agency QBE to court.
The verdict was of concern to Buckley Towers families whose damaged homes are in the middle of a condemnation proceeding by Miami-Dade County’s Unsafe Structures Board.
The briefing provided information to families and other condominium, property and co-operative associations who may feel intimidated by their insurance company or may be questioning whether their insurance claims were properly adjusted.
While a recent string of fires in Pineville and Alexandria this week have led officials to warn Louisiana residents about fire safety and the like, it also serves as a reminder about insurance coverage. Not knowing if your home or property is covered in the event of a fire can lead to, at best, a lot of stress. At worst it can lead to a complete loss in the event of devastation.
Precautionary tips on how to prevent fires in your home or property include:
As highlighted in recent articles regarding insurance companies going out of business and leaving policy owners “out in the cold”, it is important to know what to do in the event your policy provider goes out of business.
While making whatever repairs necessary to keep your home in shape, and documenting closely the expenses, it is important to immediately contact the Texas Department of Insurance and find out what is going on with your insurance company. Should your insurance company fail, the Texas Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association is in place to help those policy holders. The Texas Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association can be reached at (512) 345-9335.
It is important in such instances to also receive legal assistance or advice in the event your insurance company will have to be sued to get the claim you deserve.
FEMA maps released this month indicate flood risks in the city of New Orleans at a block-by-block level of scrutiny. Downloadable here, the maps include the changes in flood risk after work done by the Army Corps of Engineers and detail what should be the status quo until 2011, when the Corps plans on completing levee improvements. The Louisiana Mapping Project, which features the maps and explanations of how they work, may be found online by clicking here.
In an article written about FEMA’s release, the mayor’s office mentioned caution in assuming any sort of freedom from risk based upon the maps:
“The thing to remember about these maps is that there are questions about their accuracy, ” said Maggie Merrill, director of policy for Mayor Ray Nagin. “We don’t want to create a false sense of security or of panic. And there will be substantial changes, and flood risk will be dramatically reduced for the city when the levees are complete.”
When going about shopping for the right policy or making sure your policy protects you in the ways you need, it is important to understand insurance terms used. In educating yourself about the legal jargon employed by the insurance companies, you can be better prepared to combat an unfair claim payment or prevent your policy from being hijacked by vague language.
Below, courtesy of the University of Illinois, is a wrap up of this blog’s glossary of insurance terms, ranging from the letter S to Z:
Screening. Physical examination and health history taken by an insurer before the applicant is given the policy applied for.
Texas Governor Rick Perry has requested that FEMA waive or extend the deadline for FEMA aid to those whose lives have been disrupted by Hurricane Ike. KFDM reports:
Gov. Rick Perry has requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) waive, or extend for 180 days, the deadline to file proof of loss requirements for flood insurance policyholders whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Ike.
Due to the severity and magnitude of the disaster, FEMA granted an extension of the 60-day proof of loss deadline for flood insurance policyholders. Currently, policyholders are required to file proof of loss by March 12, 2009. An extension would allow Texans the same amount of time to file their claims as was allowed following Hurricane Rita.
“With so many Texas homes suffering flood damage related to Hurricane Ike and so many families who have not yet been able to rebuild, a deadline of March 12 is unrealistic,” Gov. Perry said. “I urge FEMA to waive or extend the deadline so that Texans with flood insurance have adequate time to file their claims.”
This extension would allow for more preparation and recovery for those harmed by the storm and extends the government’s assistance for some time. Insurance companies also have deadlines for their response to homeowner’s claims. It is essential that you make sure your insurance company reaches their deadlines on your Hurricane Ike or other property damage claims.
A video making its rounds from CBS chronicles the rebuilding effort going on in Galveston in the wake of Hurricane Ike and is worth a look:
When going about shopping for the right policy or making sure your policy protects you in the ways you need, it is important to understand insurance terms used. In educating yourself about the legal jargon employed by the insurance companies, you can be better prepared to combat an unfair claim payment or prevent your policy from being hijacked by vague language.
Below, courtesy of the University of Illinois, is a glossary of insurance terms, ranging from the letter O to R:
Optionally renewable. An insurance policy renewable at the discretion of the company.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s fourth extension of time for individuals in Texas affected by Hurricane Ike created a new deadline of February 20th for claims to be made. This, in light of the fact 90% of applicants who have submitted applications as of late were considered ineligible by FEMA. Texas Governor Rick Perry requested the extension in order to give applicants more time to get their affairs in order and ask the state for assistance.
To apply, go to www.fema.gov or pick up a phone and call 1-800-621-3362.
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