If your business or personal belongings or both suffered damages due to Hurricane Sandy first, my heart goes out to you. I only lost electric and heat and hot water for about 8 days and compared to others it was merely a major annoyance. A friend on Staten Island who is a florist, lost two cars and had his shop completely flooded out. He so far has received a standard (I’m told) check from FEMA for $2,400 which, he tells me, barely makes a dent in his damage expenses. He’s still arguing with his insurance company about his claims. I expect that, unfortunately that may be the case for many people.
Below is a list of hopefully helpful resources. The NYC.GOV/311 gives a 360 on what’s happening and what’s available. Below that are key contacts that should be helpful. And lastly, are two links specifically related to insurance issues due to the storm.
For general information the site below is a general city website that offers a lot of valuable information.
Nyc.gov/311
All open 7 days 8am-8 pm
NYC Restoration centers
Bronx / Throgs Neck — St. Francis Ze Chantal 190 Hollywood Avenue, 10465 (Mon-Fri only 8 am -8pm)
Red Hook office – Coffey Park 85 Richards St. Bklyn 11231
Gravesend – SSA Building 10 Bouck Ct. 11223
Fort Tilden – 415 State Street, Across from St. Geniveves Church, Queens 11697
Far Rockaway – 10-01 Beach 20th St., 11691
Arverne – Shorefront B & C, 6820 Rockaway Beach Blvd, 11692
Staten Island – 1976 Hyland Blvd. 10306
FEMA Recovery Support
1-800-621 FEMA (3362)
http://www.disasterassistance.gov/
http://www.fema.gov/apply-assistance
Nassau County OEM
1-888-684-4274
American Red Cross
1-800-733-2767
LIPA
1-800-490-0075
1-631-755-6900
The link below describes the insurance issues around damages due to the hurricane. It seems insurance deductibles won’t have to be paid – read more… http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-homeowners-save-storm-related-insurance-cost-article-1.1195254
For people who have been flooded most are not covered by general insurance. However, there might be options…this link is put out by lawyers who are representing people who were flooded. http://www.napolibern.com/Injury-News-Blog/2012/November/Superstorm-Sandy-Flood-Damage-Not-Covered-by-Hom.aspx
Sandra Holtzman teaches CEO 035: Licensing.
She is the author of Lies Startups Tell Themselves to Avoid Marketing.