Here is a summary of recent information on Insurance and FEMA, with caption notes for ease of reference. This is several pages long so remember to scroll down.

Hope this helps,

Tom

LOBBYING POLITICIANS OVER INSURANCE PROBLEMS
by Angelle2442, 9/9/05 16:22 ET
Re: COMPLAIN ABT FEMA TO YR POLITICIANS! by heartout2u, 9/9/05
If your insurance agency is giving you a hard time, here is who to complain to as well: J. Robert WooleyActing Commissioner(Southeastern Zone)Louisiana Department of InsuranceAttn: Chad Brown950 North 5th StreetBaton Rouge, Louisiana 70802Post Office Box Address:PO Box 94214Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9214225-342-5423Fax225-342-8622

PROCESS FOR GETTING MONEY – INSURANCE FIRST, THEN APPLY TO FEMA
by Angelle2442, 9/9/05 15:06 ET
Re: Getting In by julep, 9/9/05
Julep, people have registered for damage, they realize that and that you can't get in to see it first. Call your homeowner's first, then FEMA, they see how much your homeowner's covers for being displaced and then reinburse the difference I believe. Don't get discouraged, it's the honor system, but you are entitled under homeowners for immediate displacement relief. If yo can't get your insurance company on the line, go to the website and see if there is a SE regional office that you can GO to to. You have Red Cross, your homeowners + FEMA for assistance as your resources. God Bless

FEMA AND THE 2,000 DOLLARS
by refugeeinwi, 9/9/05 13:27 ET
Re: FEMA Money by NOLANewbie24, 9/9/05
I got through to FEMA last night at 7:30 pm. Only waited 10 minutes to talk to someone. I was told that we would receive 2K plus we were eligible for rental assistance. I was not given an amount for that. Has anyone else been told this? Has anyone received this? If so how much? I am patiently waiting for the 2K to appear in my hibernia account. Very pleased with the help they are giving here in WI. Red Cross and Social Services have been great. I was able to get food, clothing, health insurance and food stamps without much trouble at all. But looking forward to going home to NOLA as soon as it is safe.

LOSS OF RENT IS NOT TCOVERED UNDER FLOOD INSURANCE & RENT MAY INCREASE BY 30-50% (RENT COVERED ONLY DUE TO NON-FLOODING DAMAGE NORMALLY)
by Countripper, 9/9/05 12:16 ET
Re: You Shouldn't Pay Rent by tracebamboo, 9/9/05
"Loss of Rent" coverage is often under hazard insurance and not flood. The Insurance will not cover landlords unless the roof is off or a fire or some other damage noted in the policy. Therefore, flood, evacuation, etc. the landlord is out of luck. This is going to be a very big hardship on many landlords as the Bank still wants their note paid. Also, I wouldn't be surprised to see rents go up 30-50% in the coming months. There will be alot of temp folks coming in who need housing while they're working on rehab, contruction, etc. Alot of homes at the same time will be off the inventory. If your house is liveable, I'd say pay your rent and have your landlord lock into the rate for you. That way, you avoid the chance of really getting creamed if you break your lease and will be looking for a place when you return. Remember, its a hard ship for everyone, just because Tulane doesn't start until Jan doesn't mean your lease is null and void.

FEMA DENYING RENT INSURANCE ASSISTANCE WHERE PERSON HAS NORMAL INSURANCE BUT NOT FLOOD INSURANCE (CATCH 22 SITUATION)
by WenLoyola, 9/9/05 10:14 ET
Re: FEMA is paying>> by peggyra, 9/9/05
I wad denied because I had renter's insurance. I don't have flood insurance and my house flooded, so my renter's insurance will NOT cover me. FEMA denied my application based on the fact that I had renter's insurance but left NO room for appeal. I tried calling them SEVERAL times to talk to someone about my application, but keep getting the 'all operators busy, please try your call later' recording. FRUSTRATING to say the least. Glad SOMEONE got their money. I'll never see a dime of it!

LA FAIR PLAN OFFERS HOMEOWNERS AND STATE FARM OFFERS FLOOD INSURANCE
by BywaterBlues, 9/8/05 17:28 ET
I have Flood Insurance through State Farm and homeowners through Louisiana Citizens Fair Plan. I have contacted both and filed reference #s (that will turn into claim #s I guess) I hv not heard back from LA Fair plan but I hv heard back from State Farm. They will not release any money to me because they say my contents are not covered. Well what the hell does a flood insurance policy cover? My house is uninhabitable because of flood and evacuations. If i hear back from my homeowners and they try to pawn it off on the flood insurance people, I will go ballistic.