Insurance Department Alerts Consumers of Deadline Extension For FEMA Review of Hurricane Sandy Claims

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Insurance Department is alerting consumers of an extension for review of requests on Hurricane Sandy claims. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced Wednesday that affected consumers now have until October 15 to submit Hurricane Sandy claims for review. FEMA, which administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), says that nearly 200 claims were filed by Pennsylvania residents as a result of flood damage from the October 2012 storm.

The additional claims review comes in response to consumers' concerns that they did not receive the full payment they are entitled to under their policy.   

"Although Hurricane Sandy was almost three years ago, some Pennsylvanians are still dealing with the after effects of the storm," said Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller. "I encourage Pennsylvania consumers who experienced flood damage as a result of Hurricane Sandy to make good use of this opportunity to explore their options to ensure they receive proper compensation on claims."

In order to be eligible for a review, NFIP policyholders must have filed a claim for flood damage between Oct. 27, 2012 and Nov. 6, 2012. FEMA initially alerted policyholders that filed claims of the review opportunity in May, and the agency will continue to issue reminders until the filing deadline.

To request a review, policyholders may call the NFIP's Hurricane Sandy claims center at 1-866-337-4262 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by visiting www.fema.gov/sandyclaims. Once your request is received, a caseworker will contact the policyholder(s) and guide them through the process. If, after the review, the consumers still are not happy with the payment they receive from the NFIP, they make seek the review of a neutral third party. According to FEMA, the entire process should take less than 90 days.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ron Ruman, Insurance Department, 717-787-3289

SOURCE Pennsylvania Insurance Department