Group Flood Insurance Policies and West Virginia Disaster Recovery

CHARLESTON, W.Va., Sept. 22 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

You may receive Group Flood Insurance coverage if you claimed disaster assistance for a home or personal belongings not covered by flood insurance after the July 28-29, 2017 severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides.

Group Flood Insurance is available if you:

* Live in a flood-prone area;

* Do not have flood insurance;

* Sustained property damage from the July flooding;

* Are approved for FEMA disaster assistance; and

* You were denied a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

If you meet all of these conditions, you will receive Group Flood Insurance coverage for a three-year period ending Oct. 17, 2020. The premium will be deducted from your FEMA disaster assistance grant.

Renters will also receive Group Flood Insurance if they intend to return to their rental property. They must first notify FEMA of their intent to return by submitting a written statement or calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.

Group Flood Insurance provides coverage up to $33,300 or the grant award. You can increase your coverage -- up to $250,000 for structure or up to $100,000 for contents -- by purchasing an individual flood insurance policy. If you choose to purchase an individual policy, your Group Flood Insurance will be canceled.

For more information regarding the Group Flood Insurance Program, call the FEMA hotline at 800-621-3362, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and press #2. For general information on flood insurance, visit www.floodsmart.gov.