Regulators in NC, Florida step up after Hurricane Helene

FEMA and state authorities are on the ground in areas affected by Hurricane Helene last week, with Florida acting to protect policyholders from being abandoned and North Carolina helping those affected make insurance claims.

President Biden said disaster areas in Florida and North Carolina on September 28, making FEMA relief funds available. FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was renewed on September 30, but Biden signed a temporary funding bill on Sept. 26, which will run through Dec. 20, which will keep the NFIP funded for that time.

In North Carolina, the state insurance department has shipped consumer assistance staff to help with insurance claims and “other needs.” There are fewer than 6,000 NFIP policies in areas of North Carolina affected by Helene, according to North Carolina state Sen. Natasha Marcus, who is running against Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey in the upcoming elections.

“Flood insurance is not included in standard homeowners insurance policies. This means that many of the more than million people living in the disaster area likely do not have coverage for the damages they have sustained,” Marcus said in a press release. “We have serious vulnerabilities – many North Carolina families and small businesses will not have insurance to cover recovery costs. We face a long journey ahead. Some policyholders may find that their insurance policies cover a portion of their damages, but without comprehensive flood insurance, many will shoulder the overwhelming costs of recovery alone.”

In Florida, the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) issued a command banning cancellation or nonrenewal of policies in storm-affected areas until Nov. 26, and banning cancellation or nonrenewal for properties repaired for the Helene damage up to 90 days after the damage is repaired.

“OIR remains committed to protecting consumers after Hurricane Helene and expects insurers to engage in frequent and meaningful conversations with policyholders throughout the recovery effort,” Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky said in a news release. “In the coming weeks, OIR will work diligently both to support policyholders in affected areas and continue our efforts to monitor the claims management practices of our insurers.”

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on September 26, and its path affected seven other states, including Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia. The storm killed more than 100 people and caused flooding and damage estimated at $95 billion to $110 billion, according to the data. news reports.