Some Tornado Victims Still Homeless
The Times has a story today about how some home insurers are making it hard for a number of Brooklynites to rebuild houses damaged by the August tornado. Even though a federal disaster declaration made FEMA funds available to affected residents, some people haven’t been able to repair homes in neighborhoods like Bay Ridge because…
The Times has a story today about how some home insurers are making it hard for a number of Brooklynites to rebuild houses damaged by the August tornado. Even though a federal disaster declaration made FEMA funds available to affected residents, some people haven’t been able to repair homes in neighborhoods like Bay Ridge because they’ve had problems squaring private insurance claims. In fact, as of last week, the DOB still had full or partial vacate notices listed for 21 Brooklyn homes damaged by the storm. Any readers having trouble with claims?
Waiting to Go Home, 2 Months After a Freakish Tornado [NY Times]
Brooklyn Finally Gets Fed Tornado Relief Funds [Brownstoner]
A Rough 24 Hours in Brooklyn [Brownstoner]
Photo of damaged Bay Ridge houses by monika_ny.
So many folks in Brooklyn, and other coastal areas, are having their home-owners insurance cancelled… even if they have had their policies for years.
What happened in Bay Ridge should be a warning to us all… as Katrina should have been… we’re all obviously going to be pretty much abandoned if some catastrophe hits the city.
I wish that I had some real answers… I don’t… it just seems scandalous that fellow New Yorkers could be vicitmized twice, first by the tornado, and finally by their slow -to- respond insurance companies.
Everyone is in agreement on this one.
I find it very sad and funny that 44 people have commented about scotter parking and only 3 have commented abouted evil insurance companies and tornado victims. good priorities people!
How can I help?
After the crap that fully insured people endured (and continue to endure) after Hurricane Katrina, there should have been a law passed by Congress preventing insurance companies from pulling this stunt anywhere else. Insurance companies, especially the big ones, are immensely rich because most people pay for years and never file a claim. The insurance lobby is very strong and influential, and the everyday Joe and Jane is more likely to get screwed than not, if they should have the misfortune of needing to file a claim.
This is a disgrace. I hope the insurance companies get sued for hundreds of millions and their executives get put in federal prison. Maybe then they will learn to hold up their part of the bargain!
They sure have no problem taking your payments though!