What to Do After a Flood

The Minnesota Department of Commerce urges homeowners affected by flooding or other severe storm damage to begin communicating immediately with their insurance companies. The Commerce Department recommends that affected homeowners take the following three steps to begin the claims process.

Call Your Lender Immediately About Mortgage Payments

Homeowners affected by flooding or other severe storm damage should immediately contact their lenders about mortgage payments. The sooner banks and mortgage holders know about an emergency financial situation, the easier it might be to negotiate an alternative payment plan.

As the chief regulator for state chartered banks, the Department of Commerce encourages bankers to work constructively with borrowers in communities affected by flood and storm damage. Those that do will not be subject to examiner criticism. Federal bank regulatory agencies have issued similar communications in the past.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce has assembled information and resources for victims of severe weather-related damage related to home insurance, auto insurance and mortgages in our Handling your Finances after a Disaster publication.

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3

Step 1
- After suffering flood or other storm damage contact your agent or insurance company to file a claim. Make sure you have the name of your insurance company and your policy number available.
- Be sure to provide a telephone and/or email address where you can be reached at all times.
- The Minnesota Department of Commerce Consumer Response Team can help track down your information if it has been lost or damaged.
Step 2
- Separate damaged from undamaged property. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage to your home and possessions to prepare your repair estimate.
- Take photographs of all of the damaged property, including discarded objects, structural damage, and, in case of flood, standing floodwater levels.
- Make a list of damaged or lost items, including purchase date, value, and receipts if possible.
- Officials may require disposal of damaged items, so place them outside the home if possible.
Step 3

Your adjuster will provide you a proof-of-loss form. Use this form to file a claim with your insurance company within 60 days of the flood. This document substantiates the claim and is required for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or insurance company to make payment. You'll receive your claim payment after you and the insurer agree on the amount of damages and the insurer has your complete, accurate, and signed proof-of-loss form.

What to Do After a Flood

Resources

Call Your Lender Immediately About Mortgage Payments