By SPJ Adjusting Services | Experts in Insurance Appraisals
Top Mistake That Could Sinking the Philadelphia Flood Insurance Claims / Pennsylvania
Flood damage in Philadelphia can really hit home, whether it is from hurricane aftermaths, surprise river flooding on the Schuylkill, or just rainwater from dated drainage systems. But flood damage is never a direct ticket to compensation. With NFIP, federal regulation governs every process of a claim, and one easily made mistake can be irreparably damaging.
In our company, SPJ Adjusting, we work all over the nation with policyholders, lawyers, and insurance companies dealing with Flood Insurance Claims. Again and again, there is, in the case of Philadelphia, the reason why the claim can fail not because the damages are not there, but because the claim itself is not being pursued the right way from the very beginning.
Error #1: Mistreating Flood Insurance Claim as a Regular Homeowners Claim
Flood Insurance Claim is unlike traditional property insurance. Most Philadelphia flood insurance policies are governed by the Standard Flood Insurance Policy, or SFIP, issued by FEMA. This means federal law governs every aspect of claims.
Concepts such as bad faith, unfair claims practices, or emotional distress are not applicable at the state level. A claimant or attorney who approach an NFIP claim as if it is a run-of-the-mill dispute are likely to see their claim fail before trial ever happens.
Mistake #2: Failure or Delays in Presenting Correct Proof of Loss
An essential but rigid NFIP program requirement is Proof of Loss (POL). You must provide a sworn, detailed Proof of Loss signed by you within 60 days of the flood disaster, subject to extension by FEMA.
In Philadelphia, the problem appears when:
- They depend solely on the adjuster’s estimate
- the POL shows partial or temporary damage
- Supplemental estimates take months to arrive.
- the insured believes that deadlines can be flexible
–
The federal courts strictly enforce the POL. If you fail to list all of your damages in your compliant POL, those damages will be deemed forever waived even if they are legitimate and extensive.
Judges will not accept any additional evidence outside of the POL
Error #3: Believing That the Adjuster Can Waive FEMA Rules
NFIP adjusters, even those employed by private carriers, cannot waive federal requirements. Well-meaning guidance does not exempt non-compliance.
Only the FEMA Federal Insurance Administrator holds the ability to extend deadlines and waive any rules. In this case, Philadelphia policyholders who take the policyholder’s assurances on assumptions have found those assurances to be meaningless in the long run.
Error #4: Reports Not Linking Deterioration with the Flood Event
We should be aware that Coverage excludes anything but physical damage caused by flooding.
Engineering/Inspection Reports of Damages
Engineering and inspection reports that state Cracking, settling, and moisture not causally linked directly to the flood are nearly always Fatal To a Claim.
“In older homes in Philadelphia, an insurance agent may point to damage from ‘long-term wear’ or from ‘previous moisture.’ If damage is disputed, and damage is not proven to be specifically linked to the flood inundation, the evidence may nevertheless be deemed insufficient, even when conditions were severe,” he added.
Error #5: Hiring People Lacking NFIP Experience
Flood claims are highly technical and require unique knowledge. Lawyers lacking knowledge of federal flood law, engineers not resolving causation, and estimators not taking NFIP exclusions into account can unknowingly derail a claim.
At SPJ Adjusting, our flood claim services across the country involve:
- Flood Damage Assessment and Scope Analysis
- Flood damage insurance appraisal involving disputed claims
- Services as umpire in disputes involving property appraisal values
- Assistance to lawyers in federal flood cases
We often work on claims involving floods, hurricanes, hail, and roofing claims, making sure all paperwork is consistent with NFIP requirements from the onset.
“ ‘This is a situation where a certain level of specificity Flood insurance ranks among the most complex sectors of property claims in the U.S. The city of Philadelphia, where flood risks keep on rising, requires its consumers to navigate this issue with meticulous care and specialized knowledge. The reality is that there is no room for leeway in federal flood claims. The only way is to work with experts who understand the regulations before things go wrong. This is before all is lost.
Call to Action
Besides the Serving the entire United States with Insurance Appraisal and Umpire Services
