2024 Hurricane Helene – Insurance Claim and Recovery Help

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on September 26, 2024, as a category 4 hurricane, with torrential rain and high winds. Mass flooding following unprecedented rainfall and historic storm surges caused catastrophic destruction and major damage to homes and business in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

If your home or business has been damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene, United Policyholders and our Roadmap to Recovery® program are a trustworthy source of expertise on your options and your rights.  United Policyholders is non-profit and has over 30 years of experience helping people and communities hit by disasters.  We’re rooting for you and here to help.  No strings attached.

You’ll find lots of free information in our library including tips, videos and sample documents on damage, debris removal, insurance claims and your legal rights, mortgage, loan and construction decisions and finding professional help.  Use our guidance to make good decisions and get and stay on the road to recovery.

Download our Insurance and Recovery Guide
If your rental, home or business was insured for flood damage, there are some differences in how a flood versus a home insurance claim gets adjusted and settled, and some similarities. Wind and tree damage should be covered under your homeowner’s policy, while flood damage caused by storm surge and rising water from heavy rains should be covered under your flood policy. Car insurance that includes comprehensive coverage should cover a damaged or totaled automobile.

People in an area declared a federal disaster can apply for assistance through FEMA, even if you have insurance.  Survivors can apply for federal aid, even if insured.  Disaster assistance may be able to fill insurance gaps or provide help if you’ve been waiting more than 30 days on a homeowner’s claim. Check the FEMA website for updates. There may also be assistance available through local and state governments and charitable agencies.

Florida UPdate October 3, 2024: Pinellas County offers housing options for storm displaced residents. See more information here: https://pinellas.gov/hurricanehousing/.

Florida UPdate September 30, 2024: The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has released a Hurricane Helene Emergency Order effective immediately in which policy grace periods have been extended, limitations on policy cancellations and non-renewals have been enacted and efficient claims processing has been requested.

Alabama Hurricane Helene (FEMA Declaration EM-3618-AL)

Florida Hurricane Helene (FEMA Declaration DR-4828-FL) APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE

Georgia Hurricane Helene (FEMA Declaration DR-4830-GA) APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE

North Carolina Tropical Storm Helene (FEMA Declaration DR-4827-NC) APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE

South Carolina Hurricane Helene (FEMA Declaration DR-4829-SC) APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE

Tennessee Tropical Storm Helene (FEMA Declaration DR-4832-TN) APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE

Virginia Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene (FEMA Declaration DR-4831-VA) APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE

West Virginia Post Tropical Storm Helene (FEMA Declaration DR-4851-WV) APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE

Key tips after a hurricane and/or flood

  • Take photos BEFORE clean-up, disposal or repairs.  Photo document all damage.  
  • Keep a daily journal with notes  on conversations with insurance, repair, government, and other professionals, names, phone numbers, email addresses.
  • Focus on drying/cleaning out, avoiding further damage and getting the damage inspected, measured, and estimated by qualified and reputable experts.
  • Get a complete copy of your current home insurance policy and any other separate policies you may have in place such as auto, flood, wind, water line insurance, etc.  Check your deductibles.
  • If the damage is above your deductible, notify your agent and they’ll get your claim started. If you bought your insurance direct through an insurance company, notify them and they will open a claim and assign you a claim number. If you had only minor damage, it’s best to pay for repairs out of pocket.
  • Most home policies cover damage from wind-driven rain and trees but exclude coverage for flood damage.
  • Flood insurance policies have different deadlines and rules than home insurance policies.
  • If you have a flood insurance policy, it’s probably a standardized “NFIP” (Nat’l Flood Ins. Program) policy.  It also may be a “private” flood insurance policy (not NFIP).
  • You may have damage that’s covered by both your home and flood policies. 
  • If an adjuster says damage isn’t covered, get an independent professional opinion before giving up on getting some or all of your claim paid.
  • Give your home and/or flood insurer a chance to do the right thing, but advocate for yourself and be prepared to get professional help if you’re not being treated fairly.
  • Register with FEMA even if you don’t plan to apply for aid or an SBA loan.
  • Speak “UP” (politely push for fair treatment)  If you hit a wall, file a complaint with  your state insurance oversight agency and get qualified, reputable professional help.