Chicago City Wire

Congressional Advisory: Chicago Area Residents - Seven Steps to Help You Recover from Recent Flooding

June 8, 2023

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) urge NFIP policyholders in the Chicago area who sustained a loss during recent flooding to take these seven steps:

1. Contact your insurance agent or carrier to report your loss and file a claim. Need help finding your insurance agent or carrier? Call the NFIP at 877-336-2627. Remember, NFIP policyholders have 60 days from the date damage occurred to submit a signed Proof of Loss to their insurance carrier.
2. Do not sign a cleaning, remediation, or maintenance agreement until you consult your flood insurance agent or carrier.
3. Ask the adjuster assigned to your claim, or your carrier, if you are eligible for an advance payment. A contractor’s itemized estimate, photos, videos, and receipts validating expenses related to the flood loss can be helpful when requesting an advance payment.
4. If you had a flood loss in the past, document the new damage and gather receipts and other documentation for repairs made after your previous loss. You will not be paid for the same damage twice, unless you can prove that repairs were required after a previous flooding incident.
5. If your NFIP flood insurance policy expired recently, ask your agent if you are still within a grace period for renewal. You may be able to renew and receive coverage for a loss sustained during the grace period.
6. Contact your local building official to make sure you have any required permits prior to beginning any repairs.
7. Homeowners, renters, and business owners in NFIP-participating communities are eligible to purchase flood insurance and to file a claim for flood-related damages regardless of immigration status.

For additional information on documenting flood damage, rebuilding stronger, and finding assistance, visit https://www.floodsmart.gov/flood (Español: https://www.floodsmart.gov/es/comenzar).

FEMA and its NFIP protect nearly five million policyholders across more than 22,500 U.S. communities. Congress created the NFIP in 1968 to reduce the impact of flooding on communities across the country. It does so by providing flood insurance to property owners, renters, and business owners in communities that adopt and enforce floodplain management standards. These efforts can reduce the costs and damage of flooding and help families, individuals, and businesses recover more quickly. To learn more about the NFIP, visit floodsmart.gov.

Original source can be found here.