AUSTIN, Texas –The National Flood Insurance Program has paid over $280 million to Texas policyholders six weeks after Tropical Storm Imelda impacted the state. Of that, nearly $82 million are from advance payments on flood insurance claims. Advance payments can be dispersed in as little as five days to help kick-start recovery.

Advance payments are deducted from a policyholder’s final claim settlement amount. Advance payments may only be used according to the terms of the policy. For example, if a policyholder has a flood insurance policy for a building, the advance payment must be used to repair or rebuild the structure. Or if a policyholder has contents coverage, the advance payment must be used to repair or replace contents that were within the structure. Advance payments may not be used for temporary housing and living expenses.

It’s important that policyholders submit a signed Proof of Loss form along with supporting documents within 60 days after the date of loss. If a policyholder isn’t satisfied with the adjustor’s damage estimate, they should first talk to their adjustor. Policyholders can submit an additional Proof of Loss form later to request additional payment for other flood damages not addressed in the initial estimate.

If a policyholder isn’t satisfied with the adjustor’s damage estimate, they should first talk to their adjustor. Policyholders can submit an additional Proof of Loss form later to request additional payment for other flood damages not addressed in the initial estimate.

Flooding is the nation’s costliest and most common disaster. Texas residents can learn how to buy a flood-insurance policy by calling their insurance agent or by calling 800-427-4661, call 711 (TTY and other services available) and 866-337-4262 for VRS. Information is also available online at floodsmart.gov For flood information and safety tips visit www.ready.gov/floods. Find the Spanish-language website at www.listo.gov.

For more information on Tropical Storm Imelda and Texas recovery, visit the Tropical Storm Imelda webpage at www.fema.gov/disaster/4466, the @FEMARegion6 Twitter account, www.fema.gov/txmit and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website. TTY users may call 800-462-7585.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost
of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. TTY users may also call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit SBA at
www.SBA.gov/disaster .