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Health & Fitness

After Irene

Being with out power, 911 service, food and water is a horrible feeling. Many of you helped your neighbor get through the aftermath of storm Irene. More help is just a click away.

By Senator Tony Guglielmo

Steps to Recovery

It has been a trying time for many residents here in the quiet corner. I understand being without power, 911 service, food and water is a horrible feeling. Many of you helped your neighbor get through the aftermath of storm Irene. You did not forget one another and that is what makes our community so wonderful to live in.

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I wanted to share some important steps you can take in order to begin the recovery process.

 

Find out what's happening in Vernonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Residents who have suffered damage or loss from Storm Irene should



 

Step ONE – Register with FEMA

 

 

 

 

 

 

To register by phone, residents can call: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).  The TTY line for people with speech or hearing disabilities is 1-800-462-7585.



 

 

 

To register on-line, visit www.disasterassistance.gov

Start the registration process and apply for assistance immediately by completing an online application.

 

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is November 3, 2011. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 4, 2012.

 

 

Step TWO – File claim with Homeowners Insurance Carrier

 

Residents who have suffered damage as a result of Hurricane Irene should report their claim to their insurance provider.

Reporting Your Claim:

 

 

 

  • Most insurance companies have a time requirement for filing a claim. The process will go faster if you can locate a copy of your policy and home inventory.
  • Call your company, agent or visit the mobile claims center.
  • If you need help locating your company or agent, contact the Connecticut Insurance Department at 800-203-3447.
  • You will be asked to list all items destroyed, damaged or missing. If you do not have a home inventory, begin making a list of items going room by room from memory and include as much detail as possible.
  • If your car is damaged while in your garage/carport, it maybe covered by your automobile policy — contact your agent.
  • Step THREE: File claim with Flood Insurance Carrier 

     

     

    Flood damage is not covered in a typical homeowners or renter's policy. If you have a separate flood policy, contact the company that wrote the additional policy to file your claim. An adjuster should contact you within a few days of filing your claim. Then you should do the following:

     

    • Separate damaged from undamaged property.
    • Take photographs of all of the damaged property, including discarded objects, structural damage, and standing floodwater levels.
    • Make a list of damaged or lost items and include their date of purchase, value, and receipts, if possible.
    • Officials may require disposal of damaged items so, if possible, place flooded items outside of the home.

    Your adjuster will provide you a Proof of Loss form for your official claim for damages. You'll need to file this claim with your insurance company within 60 days of the flood. This document substantiates the insurance claim and is required before the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or insurance company can make payment.

    You'll receive your claim payment after you and the insurer agree on the amount of damages and the insurer has your complete, accurate, and signed Proof of Loss form.

    I hope you find this helpful. We will get through this together. As always please contact my office with any questions or concerns.

    Senator Tony Guglielmo

    (The 35th district includes the towns of Vernon, Ellington, Stafford, Tolland, Willington, Coventry, Ashford, Union, Eastford, Chaplin, Hampton, Woodstock, Pomfret)

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