FEMA’s flood fix deadline: Sept 15

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has set Sept. 15 as a deadline for requests to review potentially underpaid Hurricane Sandy claims.

Insurance policyholders can opt-in to the Sandy claims review process either by calling 866-337-4262 or visiting fema.gov/hurricane-sandy-nfip-claims.

A Washington-based law firm, Weisbrod Matteis & Copley (800-266-1183), has been promoting its services to Long Islanders who are evaluating whether or not to reopen their claims. Last month, the firm held a a well-attended informational meeting in Long Beach.

After hearings and communications from four senators, FEMA agreed to take a second look at as many as 144,000 National Flood Insurance policyholder claims, with an eye toward potential upward adjustments in payouts.

Many policyholders are skeptical, not wanting to reengage with FEMA, the organization that oversaw how their flood claims were handled in the first place.

A report published on June 23 by the Senate Banking Committee argues that there was no “systematic underpayment” of flood insurance claims in the wake of Sandy, which is the opposite of the experiences and beliefs of many South Shore homeowners. Allegations that led to the creation of the Sandy claims review process were not part of the Senate report.