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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011
CONTACT: Terry Woster, Public Information Officer, 605.773.3231
FEMA News Desk, 571.329.6704
Rick Jenkins, SBA, 916.735.1500
Deadline to File Flood Insurance Claims Begins September 29
PIERRE, S.D. - The deadline to file flood insurance claims could be as early as Thursday, Sept. 29, disaster officials warn.
Claims for flood damage in policies underwritten by the National Flood Insurance Program must be filed within 120 days of the actual damage occurring. The normal deadline is 60 days from the date of damage, but the deadline was extended to 120 days for the Missouri River floods. For buildings damaged by the rising water of the Missouri River on June 1, 2011, that deadline would be next Thursday.
"File those flood insurance claims now," urged Deputy State Coordinating Officer Tina Titze of the South Dakota Office of Emergency Management. "Don't miss out on the benefits of the policy you've paid for because you forgot to file."
The application process starts with building owners contacting their insurance agents. They need to provide current contact information when they call so that the agent will be able to reach them during the process.
"We're concerned that people who could not get in to see their damage for as long as ten weeks or more may not have filed their claim," said Federal Coordinating Officer Mark Neveau of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. "But the deadline is just around the corner. Call your agent before it's too late. They are there to help you."
Flood insurance reimburses structural losses of up to $250,000 and contents losses of up to $100,000 for residential and up to $500,000 each for structural and contents losses for businesses.
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