Was FEMA’s Handling of Flood Insurance Claims Negligent?
No one suspected that fraudulent activity was going on with Hurricane Sandy flood insurance claims. However, it wouldn’t take long before a an onslaught of alleged FEMA fraud allegations hit. Sandy survivors faced issues with engineers and the claims process. The claims process wasn’t working properly. The signals of
The claims process wasn’t working properly. The signals of wrong-doing were there. They weren’t going away. CBS’ 60 Minutes began investigating the insurance program that had been set up for victims of Hurricane Sandy. This 60 Minutes investigation is what helped to blow the allegations of flood insurance fraud wide open. There was a letter from a Sandy survivor family to FEMA that the person doing performing inspections for insurance claims wasn’t even an engineer that was licensed. In addition, the claims also indicated tampering with paperwork. Instead of indicating structural damage from the storm as it should have stated, it read that the damage was the before Sandy hit. That letter was just one of many indications that something was afoot with FEMA.
Hurricane Sandy And The Buried Adjuster Reports
An adjuster’s report is the cornerstone of every insurance claim. Humphrey Uddoh who was one of the Sandy Super-storm survivors and a victim of flood insurance fraud. Two insurance adjusters appeared at Uddoh’s home. This was in Jersey City after Sandy in 2012. One of the adjusters said there was flood damage to $80,000. The second adjuster said that he was hired by the insurance company to undercut the initial estimate. Uddoh threatened to call the police on this bogus adjuster. He sped off in his SUV from the man’s home.
Uddoh managed to unearth an adjuster’s report, which is a common document, and was wrongfully altered. It was then concealed from his insurance company. The very same was done by a powerful law firm that represented FEMA. This buried adjuster’s report won Uddoh a new case and does demonstrate many problems that are within the embattled Flood Insurance Program that is managed by FEMA.
Super Storm Sandy And The Firestorm of Insurance Fraud Allegations
Mismanagement, as well as criminal activity within FEMA’s flood insurance program, was something that was apparent. From the time Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast, widespread fraud began taking place in the claims process. Hurricane Sandy survivors were being deprived of what was rightfully theirs. This hurricane came along and took damaged their lives and destroyed their homes. A senior FEMA official stated that the agency was witnesses to signs of fraud more than a year after Sandy occurred but had done nothing about it.
FEMA faces Congressional Hearings Into Wrongful Mishandling of Sandy Flood Claims
United States senators from both the states of New York and New Jersey called for a Congressional oversight hearing. United States Senator Robert Menendez was one of the four senators that requested this hearing. This hearing would focused on their FEMA’s association with the Hurricane Sandy fraudulent flood claims. His actions in turn produced some positive effects as FEMA was forced the take the hit and offer all victims their proper payout.
What is FEMA’s Plan of Action To Set Things Straight?
A top FEMA official by the name of Brad Kieserman decided to make a difference. The goals were to work for all Hurricane Sandy victims who were either low-balled or fraudulently denied their flood insurance claims. Brad Kieserman’s talk with Senator Menendez was productive. It was one of good faith and determination for the National Flood Insurance Program. The first thing that
The first thing that Kieserman was going to do was to ban any insurance company or engineering firm that appeared to act in bad faith or committed fraud against Hurricane Sandy victims. Secondly, he was going to establish a process to look at Sandy claims for those who were initially denied. Therefore, every single Hurricane Sandy victim could let their voice be heard and earn the money they so rightfully deserved.
