PRESS RELEASE

August 14, 2024

Delaware County has received confirmation from the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) that they will deploy staff to man a one-day resource center to assist Delaware County residents impacted by the storms on August 9, 2024. Their visit to Delaware County will take place on Saturday August 17, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building located at 280 Phoebe Lane in Delhi, NY.

DFS personnel will be staffing the resource center to assist residents and business owners with insurance-related questions. Residents will be able to get assistance with insurance information regarding policy coverage for losses and suggestions on how to document their losses and safeguard their property. In addition to the resource center, residents and business owners can contact the Department’s Disaster Hotline at 800-339-1759. From August 12-16 the hotline will also include extended evening hours, open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This is a walk-in service center and no appointments are required. All residents or businesses impacted by the hazardous weather are encouraged to attend if you have questions regarding insurance and potential claims.

Some tips for recovery shared by DFS include:

  • File Claims Promptly – Homeowners who experienced property losses are urged to file insurance claims with their insurers promptly and as soon as possible after losses occur. It is important to provide policy numbers if possible and all information relevant to the loss. To best document losses, homeowners should take photos or videos showing the extent of the losses before cleaning up damage.
  • Making Necessary Repairs – Homeowners should protect their property from further damage after a loss but should make only repairs necessary to prevent further damage to property, like covering broken windows. Permanent repairs should not be made until after insurers have inspected losses.
  • Keep Records of Dealings with Insurance Representatives – Homeowners should cooperate fully with their insurers and keep a diary of all conversations with insurance representatives, including the representatives’ names, as well as the times and dates of all calls or visits. They should also follow up in writing with representatives to document their understanding of any conversations they have had with the representatives.
  • Inventory Your Belongings – Provide your insurer with a detailed room-by-room inventory of damaged personal items and property. Include receipts, such as credit card statements or other documents showing the items’ values.
  • Flood Damage – Homeowners are reminded that flood damage is generally only covered by flood insurance, which is a federal program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Homeowners who have flood insurance and have flood damage should make claims through that insurance. Additionally, homeowners should also read their policies carefully to make sure they understand what damage is covered and under what circumstances. For additional information on flood insurance, please visit the Flood Insurance Resource Center on the DFS website at http://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumer/flood_info.htm
  • Keep Your Receipts If You Relocate During Repairs – If you need to temporarily relocate while your home is being repaired, make sure to keep receipts and other records of your expenses during that time.
  • Filing Complaints – Homeowners unable to resolve disputes with their insurers may contact DFS to file a complaint at the following website location. DFS investigates all complaints it receives. http://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumer/fileacomplaint.htm
  • Information on Homeowners’ Insurance – Additional information can be found at the Homeowners Resource Center on the Department of Financial Services’ website at: http://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumer/home_resources.htm.

For flood insurance information, contact FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP) at (800) 621-3362 or http://www.floodsmart.gov.

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