Even though renewal dates have passed for some policyholders with flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, policyholders that were impacted by Hurricane Milton may be able to renew their policy without a coverage lapse and file a claim for flood damage. 

The NFIP has extended the renewal deadline to Dec. 10, 2024, to renew their policies which is a significant extension from the standard 30-day renewal grace period.

“I’m sensitive to the fact that our policyholders are dealing with many obstacles during this period of extensive recovery in the wake of Hurricane Milton,” said Jeff Jackson, the interim Senior Executive of the NFIP in an Insurance News Net article. “Extending the grace period for policy renewals is one way to show our customer that we care about what they’re going through.”

Policyholders should check with their agent or insurer about advance claim payments to help get their recovery started. It is possible to get an advance payment of up to $20,000 before an adjuster even comes out to assess the damage. 

FEMA announced a grace period for policyholders in Florida as well as seven other states that were impacted by Helene. After Milton struck, the grace period was extended again based on the schedule below:

If the policy term ended on: Aug. 28, Sept. 26, Oct. 15, or Nov. 1, then the grace period now runs until Dec. 10, 2024. It the policy term ended on Nov. 15, 2024, then the grace period is Dec. 14, 2024.

If your NFIP policy renewal date is within this range, you should contact your agent or insurance company.

In addition to extending the renewal dates, the NFIP has also extended the proof of loss requirement for policyholders who suffered flood damage from Hurricane Milton. It has been extended to 120 days from the date of loss, usually it is 60 days.

If you have an NFIP flood insurance and experienced damage from Hurricane Milton, you should start filing a claim as soon as possible and if you have been evacuated you can start the claim process and then provide the specifics of the damage once you are allowed back to your home. 

FEMA has also encouraged NFIP policyholders who were affected by Milton to apply for federal disaster assistance. There three ways to apply for federal assistance:

• Visit disasterassistance.gov
• Call 800-621-3362 
• Use the FEMA App

Disaster funds can be used to help with essential items you need such as water, food, or other emergency supplies. 

If you are looking for help filing a flood insurance claim visit floodsmart.gov.