After a hurricane, most people are left not only heartbroken but also overwhelmed. While FEMA (The Federal Emergency Management Agency) may be available to help, many people don’t understand how the aid works, especially in conjunction with property insurance.
Here is some information about FEMA, filing a claim, and what you can do if your insurance provider decides to deny your claim in bad faith.
What is FEMA?
FEMA is the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is a government agency that provides disaster relief to those affected by hurricanes and other natural events. There are a few different forms of assistance that FEMA offers, which include grants for:
- Home repairs
- Temporary housing
- Personal property replacement
- Medical expenses
With that said, it’s important to keep in mind FEMA isn’t intended to replace insurance, it is a supplemental resource.
The Order to File
It’s very important to understand that FEMA can’t duplicate benefits covered by your insurance policy. Because of this, you’ll need to file a claim with your insurance provider first. As an example, if your insurance provider gives you $20,000 towards your home repairs, FEMA won’t help with those repairs. Once expenses go beyond your policy limit (or if certain things aren’t covered), that’s when FEMA assistance may be available.
Tips to Maximize Your Benefits
In order to maximize your benefits, consider these tips:
- Document Everything: It’s extremely important that you document all of the damages and any expenses. Make lists and take photos and videos. Also, keep any correspondences between your insurance provider and you. Keep records of your FEMA correspondences, as well.
- Reach out to Your Insurance Company Immediately: The sooner you can report the damage, the better.
- Register with FEMA: You can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or through the FEMA app. Have your proof of residency, insurance information, and damage estimates ready.
What If My Insurance Provider Denies the Claim in Bad Faith?
After a nasty storm season (like what we experienced in 2024), your insurance provider should pay your claim without any issue. If they decide to try and underpay your claim or deny it entirely in bad faith, reach out to Colucci Law Group for support.
Colucci Law Group consists of legal experts who provide clients with support to fight bad faith claim denials. We will provide you with an outstanding property insurance lawyer to represent you in a suit against your insurance provider. We are also able to file your claim for you and defend your rights, so you get the settlement that you deserve.
For more information about our property insurance legal services, reach out today. We’d be happy to help you to file your claim or represent you in a lawsuit against your insurance provider.
If you suspect that you are the victim of a bad-faith insurance claim denial, we can help. The Colucci Law Group has the resources to assess the validity of your claim at no cost to you. For a free consultation, email us or call our Dunedin office at 727-733-9438. You may also call our Fort Myers office at 239-378-7800. Our team assists victims of bad-faith insurance claims across the state of Florida.