N.C., Florida regulators step up after Hurricane Helene

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

President Biden declared disaster areas in Florida and North Carolina on September 28, making FEMA assistance funds available. FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was up for renewal on September 30, but Biden signed a temporary funding bill on September 26 that will last through December 20, which will keep NFIP funded for that time.

In North Carolina, the state's department of insurance has dispatched consumer assistance staff to help with insurance claims and "other needs." There are less than 6,000 NFIP policies in areas of North Carolina affected by Helene, according to North Carolina state senator Natasha Marcus, who is running against incumbent insurance commissioner Mike Causey in the upcoming election.

"Flood insurance is not included in standard homeowners insurance policies. This means that many of the million-plus people living in the declared disaster area likely do not have coverage for the damage they've suffered," Marcus stated in a press release. "We have serious vulnerabilities — many North Carolina families and small businesses won't have insurance to cover the costs of recovery. We're facing a long journey ahead. Some policyholders may find that their insurance policies cover portions of their damage, but without comprehensive flood insurance, many will bear the overwhelming costs of recovery on their own."

In Florida, the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) issued an order prohibiting cancellation or non-renewal of policies in areas affected by the storm, until November 26, as well as prohibiting cancellation or non-renewal for properties being repaired for damage from Helene until 90 days after the repair of the damage. 

"OIR remains committed to protecting consumers in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and expects insurers to engage in frequent and meaningful conversation with policyholders throughout the recovery effort," said Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky, in a press release. "In the coming weeks, OIR will work diligently to both support policyholders in impacted areas and continue our efforts to monitor the claims handling 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 has killed more than 100 people and has caused flooding and damage estimated at $95 billion to $110 billion, according to news reports.