What Long Islanders need to know about insurance coverage after a storm
A view down Gordon Street in Freeport shows flooding in the neighborhood on Jan. 13. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Long Islanders affected by intense rainfall and flooding earlier this week will likely be turning to insurance companies to help cover the cost of property damage.
The storm dumped more than 9 inches of rain on portions of northern Suffolk County on Sunday morning, with communities such as Miller Place, Port Jefferson Station and Stony Brook seeing some of the highest rainfall totals.
County officials said earlier this week they were assessing whether the county will qualify for state and federal disaster aid to address the tens of millions in estimated damage caused by the storm.
Here’s what Long Islanders need to know about seeking help to pay for storm damage.
What type of insurance is needed to cover the storm’s damage?
Standard homeowners insurance generally does not cover damage from flooding. Homeowners need a separate flood insurance policy.
Even when homeowners have flood insurance, some situations — such as groundwater seepage into a basement — typically aren't covered, said Garrett Guttenberg, executive vice president of Denis A. Miller Insurance Agency in Long Beach.
"How the water got there is going to dictate whether there's potentially coverage or not," he said.
Some homeowners in high-risk areas are required by their mortgage lenders to buy flood coverage. But recent data shows that in many communities in northern Suffolk County, such as Stony Brook, only a few dozen homeowners had flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program as of September 2022.
Guttenberg, who also works as a public adjuster representing homeowners, said of about 50 calls he'd received in the past few days, all of the callers lacked the necessary insurance coverage or had situations that wouldn't be covered by insurance.
What about renters?
Standard renters insurance does not cover flood damage, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Some policies may cover sewer and drain backups. These policies can help renters pay to replace damaged possessions, such as electronics, clothing and furniture, according to the state Department of Financial Services.
What should homeowners do after a storm?
Homeowners should first do what they can to mitigate any further damage, such as pumping water out and getting their house dry so mold doesn’t develop, said David Levine, owner of Newbrook Insurance Agency in Port Jefferson Station.
It’s also important that homeowners document the damage with photos that can be shared with their insurance company and save any receipts from purchases used to make immediate repairs.
DFS encourages homeowners to file claims promptly after damage and document losses with photos and videos. The state also recommends documenting all interactions with insurance companies, including representatives’ names as well as the date and times of calls.
What's next?
Homeowners should review their insurance policies to determine what will be covered. Calling a local insurance agent can help determine next steps.
Both Guttenberg and Levine cautioned, however, that any inquiry to an insurer's toll-free number could represent a new claim that may be factored into future premiums even if an insurer didn't pay out.
Should I submit a claim?
It depends. As more homeowners opt for higher deductibles — the amount a policyholder must pay before an insurer will start covering expenses — they must weigh any potential reimbursement against the consequences of filing claims, Levine said. Repeated homeowners' insurance claims may lead to higher premiums and adds to the risk an insurer may not renew a person's coverage, Levine said.
"Before you put in the claim, you have to assess what you estimate the total value of the loss at," Levine said. "Is it just mopping up water on tile floors or [is it] ripping out and replacing carpet and it will be significantly over the deductible?"
However, most flood insurance policies are backed by the National Flood Insurance Program. Homeowners remain eligible for NFIP coverage even if they have filed flood claims before as long as their community continues participation in the national program, as the vast majority, if not all, Long Island towns, villages and cities do, according to FEMA records.
Does insurance reimbursement affect your ability to get government aid?
If there is a federal disaster declaration, FEMA doesn’t provide aid for financial needs that have been met by another source, such as insurance coverage, according to the agency. But homeowners may be eligible if insurance or other government programs don’t cover all disaster-related costs.
Who can you call for help?
In addition to your insurance company, the DFS maintains a disaster hotline at 800-339-1759. The hotline opens at 8:30 a.m. and will have extended evening hours until 8 p.m. through Aug. 23.
Long Islanders affected by intense rainfall and flooding earlier this week will likely be turning to insurance companies to help cover the cost of property damage.
The storm dumped more than 9 inches of rain on portions of northern Suffolk County on Sunday morning, with communities such as Miller Place, Port Jefferson Station and Stony Brook seeing some of the highest rainfall totals.
County officials said earlier this week they were assessing whether the county will qualify for state and federal disaster aid to address the tens of millions in estimated damage caused by the storm.
Here’s what Long Islanders need to know about seeking help to pay for storm damage.
What type of insurance is needed to cover the storm’s damage?
Standard homeowners insurance generally does not cover damage from flooding. Homeowners need a separate flood insurance policy.
Even when homeowners have flood insurance, some situations — such as groundwater seepage into a basement — typically aren't covered, said Garrett Guttenberg, executive vice president of Denis A. Miller Insurance Agency in Long Beach.
"How the water got there is going to dictate whether there's potentially coverage or not," he said.
Some homeowners in high-risk areas are required by their mortgage lenders to buy flood coverage. But recent data shows that in many communities in northern Suffolk County, such as Stony Brook, only a few dozen homeowners had flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program as of September 2022.
Guttenberg, who also works as a public adjuster representing homeowners, said of about 50 calls he'd received in the past few days, all of the callers lacked the necessary insurance coverage or had situations that wouldn't be covered by insurance.
What about renters?
Standard renters insurance does not cover flood damage, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Some policies may cover sewer and drain backups. These policies can help renters pay to replace damaged possessions, such as electronics, clothing and furniture, according to the state Department of Financial Services.
What should homeowners do after a storm?
Homeowners should first do what they can to mitigate any further damage, such as pumping water out and getting their house dry so mold doesn’t develop, said David Levine, owner of Newbrook Insurance Agency in Port Jefferson Station.
It’s also important that homeowners document the damage with photos that can be shared with their insurance company and save any receipts from purchases used to make immediate repairs.
DFS encourages homeowners to file claims promptly after damage and document losses with photos and videos. The state also recommends documenting all interactions with insurance companies, including representatives’ names as well as the date and times of calls.
What's next?
Homeowners should review their insurance policies to determine what will be covered. Calling a local insurance agent can help determine next steps.
Both Guttenberg and Levine cautioned, however, that any inquiry to an insurer's toll-free number could represent a new claim that may be factored into future premiums even if an insurer didn't pay out.
Should I submit a claim?
It depends. As more homeowners opt for higher deductibles — the amount a policyholder must pay before an insurer will start covering expenses — they must weigh any potential reimbursement against the consequences of filing claims, Levine said. Repeated homeowners' insurance claims may lead to higher premiums and adds to the risk an insurer may not renew a person's coverage, Levine said.
"Before you put in the claim, you have to assess what you estimate the total value of the loss at," Levine said. "Is it just mopping up water on tile floors or [is it] ripping out and replacing carpet and it will be significantly over the deductible?"
However, most flood insurance policies are backed by the National Flood Insurance Program. Homeowners remain eligible for NFIP coverage even if they have filed flood claims before as long as their community continues participation in the national program, as the vast majority, if not all, Long Island towns, villages and cities do, according to FEMA records.
Does insurance reimbursement affect your ability to get government aid?
If there is a federal disaster declaration, FEMA doesn’t provide aid for financial needs that have been met by another source, such as insurance coverage, according to the agency. But homeowners may be eligible if insurance or other government programs don’t cover all disaster-related costs.
Who can you call for help?
In addition to your insurance company, the DFS maintains a disaster hotline at 800-339-1759. The hotline opens at 8:30 a.m. and will have extended evening hours until 8 p.m. through Aug. 23.
Jonathan LaMantia covers residential real estate and other business news on Long Island. He previously covered the business of health care for Crain's New York Business.
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