If you read this blog with any regularity, you know that the standard National Flood Insurance Policy requires that a Proof of Loss be submitted within 60 days of the date of loss. Without submitting the required Proof of Loss the claim—along with any hope of receiving additional funds under the flood policy—is forever lost. Many times when there is widespread flooding, FEMA acknowledges that getting help and producing a Proof of Loss within the allocated time frame becomes almost impossible and they extend the time frames to produce a Proof of Loss.
With regards to the recent Spring storms and associated flooding in Texas, April 16, 2016 through April 23, 2016, FEMA has once again extended the date for the submission of a Proof of Loss by an additional 60 days. FEMA Bulletin W-16039 states:
To ensure that NFIP policyholders have sufficient time to finalize their claims, pursuant to Paragraph D of the General Conditions section of the SFIPs and 44 C.F.R §61.13 (d), I hereby authorize an additional 60-day extension of the time period within which a policyholder must submit the requisite signed and sworn-to proof of loss with their NFIP insurer. With this extension, an NFIP policyholder will have a total of 120 days after the date of loss to provide the completed, signed, and sworn-to proof of loss to the insurer.
The entire bulletin can be found here.
The Proof of Loss is an important and complicated document. It takes understanding and expertise to properly complete. If you suffered a loss in the Texas floods of this Spring, I encourage you to reach out to a professional—public adjuster or attorney—for assistance in the timely completion and submission of a Proof of Loss.
