As advocates for victims whose lives have been turned upside down as a result of the devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, and Hurricane Maria, we know that one year may not be enough time for flood victims to obtain the estimates and documents necessary to submit their required proof of loss form to FEMA or their flood insurance company.
The proof of loss is a required document that must be sworn to under the penalty of perjury and submitted with complete accurate numbers by the current deadline of one year after the loss. If the form is not submitted 100% completed, correct, and before the deadline, policyholders will lose their right to pursue further action to get additional money they may be owed.
We have been contacted by countless people throughout Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico who have encountered significant difficulties and delays obtaining the documents (like full repair estimates) and information needed to complete and submit their required proof of loss forms. Additionally, flood victims have faced prolonged delays in the flood claims process that have further inhibited their ability to submit the required proof of loss, including but not limited to adjusters being shifted around, non-responsive adjusters, and lack of communication from FEMA and the insurance companies.
We feel it is our duty to look out for these victims, so we sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Brock Long and FEMA Deputy Associate Administrator David Maurstad, asking that FEMA extend the deadline for another six months for flood victims to submit their required proof of loss form. We also sent this letter to several U.S. Senators with the power to effectuate these changes, including Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Ted Cruz, Senator John Cornyn, and Senator Bill Nelson.
It is our hope that FEMA will grant the additional time we requested to allow people the opportunity to obtain the information needed to properly submit their proof of loss.
