Hurricane Helene

If you have flood insurance from FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program and experienced flooding during Hurricane Helene, visit How Do I Start My Claim to learn more about how to file your flood insurance claim. Further details on FEMA operations can be found on the following links: https://www.fema.gov/hurricane-helene Spanish: https://www.fema.gov/es/helene 

Understanding Coverage Decisions

This is a collection of FEMA decisions in response to NFIP policyholders who have appealed their flood insurer's denial. These documents are provided to claim professionals, as well as current and future policyholders for use to better understand flood policy coverage, claim requirements, and why claims get denied or overturned. 

Flood Claim Decision Memos

Please use the features below to search the collection. You may sort by appeal issue, which is based on a common subject ‘tagwords’, decision type, or based on type decision rule, which are categorized on the hierarchy of insurance policy rules on (1) eligibility, (2) coverage, (3) scope of damage, and (4) price or scope to repair. FEMA will periodically add new decisions to its collection over time. 

Displaying 1 - 10 of 89
Actual Cash Value Proof of Loss Decision Upheld
The policyholder appeals the denial for an additional payment for personal property items. (Price)
  • Price
drying mitigation
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Basement Coverage Limitations Decision Overturned
The policyholder appeals the denial due to basement limitations. (Coverage.)
  • Coverage
basement
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Basement Coverage Limitations Decision Upheld
The policyholder appeals the denial of personal property due to basement limitations. (Coverage)
  • Coverage
basement coverage
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Complying with Law or Ordinance Decision Upheld
The policyholder appeals the denial for asbestos testing. (Coverage)
  • Coverage
flood loss
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Condo Loss Assessments Decision Upheld
The policyholder appeals the insurer’s denial and seeks payment for condominium loss assessments (coverage).
  • Coverage
flood loss
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Detached Garages Overturn
The policyholder appeals the denial related to a non-qualified building. (Eligibility)
  • Eligibility
detached garage
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Direct Physical Loss Flood Borne Debris Overturn
The policyholder appeals the denial for the removal of non-owned flood-borne debris on the insured property. (Coverage. Scope.)
  • Coverage
  • Scope
lake flooding
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Direct Physical Loss Prior Damages Sheathing Upheld
The policyholder appeals the denial of building property not repaired or replaced after a prior loss. (Coverage)
  • Coverage
Drying Mitigation
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Direct Physical Loss Sheathing Overturn
The policyholder appeals the denial for the exterior wall sheathing due to no direct physical loss by or from flood. (Scope. Price)
  • Price
  • Scope
A1 Sheathing Overturn
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Earth Movement Decision Overturned
The policyholder appeals the denial for foundation damages, gravel, and well damages. (Coverage.)
  • Coverage
earth movement
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Related Resources

Understanding Coverage Decisions (New)