Disaster Recovery: FEMA and Insurance Claims
A presidential major disaster declaration lets public agencies recover eligible costs through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.
DRS has mastered the interplay between insurance and FEMA.
After a major disaster declaration, FEMA expects you to pursue your insurance for all insured damages. FEMA will then fund eligible uninsured losses.
DRS offers a service unmatched by any other consulting firm. Yes, there are firms that can manage insurance claims. Yes, there are firms that can manage FEMA claims.
DRS is the only firm that can manage both – giving you the best advantage in a catastrophe.
FEMA Eligibility
Drivers:
DRS can help you check your eligibility for FEMA Public Assistance. We can confirm that your organization:
- Is an eligible applicant,
- Owns and operates eligible facilities, and
- Has damages and costs that link to a disaster event.
Eligible Organizations Include:
- Local Governments: Counties, Municipalities, School Districts, Local Public Authorities, Special Districts, etc.
- Private Non-Profit Organizations: Eligible facilities that provide critical services (Education, Utility, Emergency, Medical, etc.)
- State and Territorial Governments: DC, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, etc.
Examples of Uninsured Losses:
- Insurance policy deductibles
- Damages valued in excess of insurance policy limits/sub-limits
- Insurance policy exclusions (i.e. infrastructure, mold, asbestos, etc.)
- Uninsured perils (with the exclusion of flood)
- Hazard mitigation
- Alternative procedures
Federally Declared Disaster Experience:
DRS experts have prepared hundreds of complex FEMA and insurance claims. We have supported recovery across dozens of declared disasters. These combined claims total billions of recovery dollars.
Our clients include:
- States
- State agencies
- Counties
- Cities
- Utility authorities
- Housing authorities
- Hospitals
- Higher education systems
- Independent school districts
- Non-profits
- And more
FEMA Claims Lifecycle
DRS helps you navigate the four phases of a complex FEMA claim.
We work with your recovery team to restore your facilities. We help ensure you get all available funding.
DRS has the right tools and decades of experience to help you navigate the complexities of a combined insurance and FEMA claim.
Services Available Include:
- Navigating the FEMA Request for Public Assistance application process
- Preparation for FEMA's Exploratory Call
- Preparation for FEMA's Recovery Scoping Meeting
- Assistance in Developing Preliminary Damage Listing
- Evaluation of FEMA's prior disaster assistance and insurance purchase requirements
- Preliminary Damage Assessments
- Proper accounting methods to capture loss-related costs and expenses
- Tracking and allocating expenditures per insurer and FEMA requirements
- Eligibility advice with loss expenditures
- Preparation of project worksheets including debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent repair and replacement work
- Integration of the insurance settlement into the FEMA recovery formula
- Management of compliance with insurer and FEMA recovery guidelines
- Final inspection and audit close-out process
How Much
Will This Cost?
We’ve got some great news to share!
Most conventional insurance policies contain Claim Preparation Coverage (sometimes labeled in another way). This applies to the consulting services we provide to support your insurance claim.
If your claim involves FEMA, FEMA will reimburse our management costs (direct and indirect) for eligible FEMA projects.
DRS makes every effort to minimize our out-of-pocket consulting fees.
Contact Us
Reach out to us about your entire project, ask us specific questions, or send a note to learn more about how we can help you.
