Compared to many of the complaint letters here on DearFEMA.com, my problem is minor, but still very frustrating. I did in fact receive the initial $2,000 from FEMA and I have also received a trailer that I am now living in. What I am frustrated with is the request for reimbursement for itmes purchased after the storm to mitigate any further damage to my home. Prior to purchasing any items, we spoke, in person with representatives from FEMA to find out if we would be reimbursed. We were told yes, you will receive reimbursement for purchasing a generator, chain saw (which we didn’t need, and didn’t purchase) a shop vac for clean up and a dehumidifier to assist in drying out our home. I faxed in the recipts for the items purchased on the 12th of October. On the 25th of October a FEMA representative visited my home, verified the damages to my home (over 8 feet of water)and he also verified the receipts for the generator, shop vac and dehumidifier. He told me at that time that it would take about two weeks for reimbursement of these items. It is now the 23rd of December, and I’m still waiting. I have called FEMA numerous times, only to be told, yes, we see that the receipts were scanned in, and when it’s assigned to a case manager, they will review the request for reimbursement. I have called no less than 25 times, and each time I’m told the same thing, except now, supposedly I’ve been assigned a case manager but the person I talk to can’t tell me who the case manager is or how to contact them. Many of the FEMA reps I’ve talked to have been downright rude and unprofessional. One time I called and after getting multiple “I don’t know” for an answer, I asked to speak with a supervisor. They told me they didn’t have enough supervisors in the office for me to talk to, and that I would have to contact the TX office to speak with a supervisor. I asked for that number, and they told me it was the same 800 number, it’s just the luck of the draw as to which office your call is routed to. I’m not asking for anything more than I was told I was entitled to as a taxpaying citizen of the United States. If I had known that I wouldn’t be reimbursed, or that it would take this much hassel, I would never have bought these items in the first place. But, then they would have had more comments to me in that I would be accused of not preventing further damage to my home. The only way to do this was to get a dehumidifier and a generator to run it.

State Farm Insurance is also worthless in my opinion. One estimate (paid for by me) indicated that the damages to my home are approximately $118,800, but the adjuster from State Farm is only offering $48,000. I would have been better off not having flood insurance and not having paid the premium for this coverage, since the State of MS is now looking at paying those who did not have flood insurance $150,000 for their damages. I’m so tired of fighting with FEMA and State Farm. I think if my doctor had not put me on anti-depressants by now, I would have just ended it all rather then have to go through what we are all going through, and losing all that I have worked for in the lat 20 years.

- Kim

To properly establish relationships, I’ll open with the following path of players: Hurricane Katrina > National Flood Insurance Program > Harleysville Insurance Company > Wells Claim Service > Jeff Wassom, adjuster > me.
On October 13, 2005, I finally met the adjuster for Wells Claim Service, Jeff Wassom, in my damaged apartment on Transcontinental Drive in Metairie, LA. Although I told him twice before meeting that I had no photos because the shutter in my camera had failed, his first question was to ask if I had more pictures. I had two that were supplied by my landlord. At the end of his inspection, Jeff said I would hear “something” in about 10 days, and went on at length about how busy he was / is. How busy he is isn’t my problem. I didn’t tell him to take the job. To shorten this story, It is now December 22, 2005. Jeff has still not submitted my claim paperwork. I furnished, as requested, a list of items lost to Katrina and, again at his request, annotated it with an approximation of ages of items on the spot (since he didn’t bother to say he needed that beforehand). The total amount of my claim is for more than the insured amount under my NFIP policy. It seems, therefore, that Harleysville > Wells Claim Svc should be able to issue a check for the full amount of the claim. I am seriously considering suing this adjuster in a court of law for malfeasance and / or negligence. I really don’t want to because of the cost, but if it’s the only avenue open, I’ll take it. It’d probably be handled under his errors and omissions coverage, anyway (if he bothered to get that). There is NO reason I, or any other person affected by Katrina, should be forced to wait four months because some twit of a contract adjuster wants to demonstrate his “power” over others . . . This individual needs to be fired rapidly and placed in a form of employ which denies him contact with others on a permanent basis. Grease trap cleaner comes to mind. I’d like to know if others have also encountered this individual and whether they have had similar problems because of his lack of performance. I need to have this claim finalized because, until it is, I cannot move forward with SBA, FEMA, or any other entity. They all want to know how much NFIP paid first. Well, I can’t tell them that because Jeff won’t send in my paperwork. He really does need to be fired and financially penalized for his inaction. Wells Claim Service, are you reading this? Hint. Hint.

- Richard Caire

I live in Chalmette and the State-Farm adjuster took over 2 months to go to my house. I had over 10 feet of water in my house (thank you MRGO), and now State-Farm is offering approx 25% less than my policy limit. The adjuster never went inside because as he put it: This place is 100% damaged. Now he is all but trying to force me to take the settlement. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - I guess this is going to drag out a long time. Now I have to file a compaint with the State Insurance Commissioner, and the Louisiana Attorney Generals office - Then hire an attorney. If this happens - not only do I want my full policy I want compensation for all the stress State Farm has caused me. If St.Bernard wants its people to come back - Force the insurance companies to live up to their end of the deal. Why did my agent let me pay for ALOT of insurance if his company is never going to pay.

OFFICIALS OF ST. BERNARD = HELP

- Ann Hammond

Hey Allstate,

Since my sister and her husband have been on your “fast track” since the storm, how about actually sending them the money they are entitled to under the National Flood Insurance Program - you remember that - where individuals obtain insurance policies and pay you premiums every year so they will have coverage in the event of a flood? You do remember getting all those premium checks, don’t you? So how about honoring your part of a legal contract (insurance policy) and start sending out the money you legally owe. Or is that too much to ask?

- Rob Graham

I was told by State Farm that I needed $204,500 worth of flood coverage
on my home in Lakeview. This was to cover the replacment cost of my
home in the event of a massive flood.

My home soaked in 9.6 feet of water for over 20 days.

I received a call from State Farm they would issue me a check in 7 days
for $204,500 and they were sorry for my loss. Three months later I get
a call from State Farm they inform me I can repair the house for
$80,000 and that is their final offer (39% of my policy). They said that
would pay for gutting and new sheetrock (fyi my walls are plaster).

I was told by State Farm they overpaid 60,000 people in the New Orleans
area and this is how they are doing it now.

The conversation ended with State Farm telling me the only way this
will be solved is in court.

Please keep in mind we never asked for our policy to be $204,500 this
is what State Farm told us we needed and what we paid for.

- Daniel Bent