Critical Deadline To File Sandy Flood Paperwork Is April 28

by Daniel Nee

New Jersey residents have less than a week to file critical paperwork for their flood insurance settlements.

Last fall, the federal agency announced it would extent a deadline to file proof-of-loss claims for an additional six – a total of 18 months after Superstorm Sandy devastated the Shore area.

A proof of loss is a form used by a flood insurance policyholder to support the amount they are claiming under their policy, which must then be signed and sworn to, and submitted with supporting documentation. The policy covers structures and any personal property contained within that was damaged or destroyed by floodwaters.

At the time of the last deadline, nearly two dozen Senators and members of Congress from New York and New Jersey signed a letter to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, arguing that many of their constituents have been mired in bureaucratic red tape and are only just starting the recovery process and need more time to complete the paperwork.

Any policyholder whose standard flood insurance policy was issued by a Write Your Own program-participating insurance company should contact his insurance adjustor or the carrier directly to find out the proper address for submitting the Proof of Loss with supporting documentation.

If a resident's flood insurance policy was issued by FEMA directly through the Direct Servicing Agent, send Proof of Loss and supporting documentation by regular mail to: NFIP Direct Servicing Agent, P.O. Box 2966, Shawnee Mission, KS 66201-1366. Or send by overnight mail to: NFIP Direct Servicing Agent, 7701 College Blvd., Suite 150, Overland Park, KS 66210.