State launches fire disaster mapping

Dec. 03--State insurance officials are compiling insurance claims for a geographic mapping program that can help insurers determine where aid is needed in response to wildfires that swept through Gatlinburg and the national park earlier this week.

Additionally, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance has asked insurers to be responsive to the needs of the wildfire victims and to suspend for 60 days any policy cancellations or non-renewals because of nonpayment of premiums. The agency also asked insurers to "allow policyholders to temporarily postpone payment due dates" because of the disaster, according to a Friday news release.

As of Dec. 1, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance had included 656 combined reported claims of home, auto and other damage into a geographic mapping program that includes satellite imagery. The claims information has been voluntarily submitted by insured victims.

"A valuation of the losses has not yet been determined," stated the news release from the agency.

The mapping effort will include information from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and local fire departments.

"This is an unprecedented collaboration between insurers, the department and emergency responders to a historic and heartbreaking situation," Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak said.

McPeak said large insurers probably have access to the technology to create similar maps, but the state's map will be helpful to smaller providers with less resources. The goal, she said, is to help victims rebuild their lives.

"By combining the claims data with satellite imagery, it is our hope this will help insurers to more quickly determine losses and help consumers, particularly in areas that are not yet accessible," McPeak said.

The state agency, established a Community Resource Center at 149 Cates Lane in Pigeon Forge, provides victims with food, clothing and water. The center also helped victims access assistance from other state agencies and the insurance providers' catastrophic response teams.

Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Assistant Commissioner for Insurance Michael Humphreys said insurance carriers' trailers "rolled into Gatlinburg a day or two after the fires" with teams to answer consumers' questions and start the claims process.

The agency also noted Gov. Bill Haslam had issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency that activates price gouging laws prohibiting "grossly excessive prices for essential goods and services."

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* Videos: Gatlinburg, Sevier Co. wildfires

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* Photos: Firefighters work to contain the Chimney Tops 2 fire

* Dollywood reopens after wild fires

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* Chris Rial talks about how wild fire ran them out Monday

* 'Everything is gone:' Wildfire evacuees return to homes

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* Blount utilities lift water measures as Little River recovers

* Gatlinburg wildfire missing or dead

* Dollywood Foundation says renters and homeowners eligible for 'My People Fund'

* Visitors from Canada, Memphis among wildfire dead

* WEEKEND UPDATE: How to help in fire's wake

* Guests flock to Dollywood Friday after Gatlinburg fires

* Pigeon Forge Church of Christ to distribute supplies Saturday

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