Jefferson City, Mo. – Consumer specialists from the Missouri Department of Insurance will be at Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARC) on Tuesday (June 25) and Wednesday (June 26) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to assist residents impacted by recent flooding. The specialists will be at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena, 19100 E. Valley View Pkwy., Independence, MO on Tuesday and at the Brunswick R-2 High School, 1008 County Road, Brunswick, MO on Wednesday.  Consumer specialists will be able to provide consumers with assistance understanding their insurance policies and the process of filing a claim as well as company contact information.

Generally, homeowners insurance does not offer protection against flood losses. Homeowners should check their policies for exclusions, such as "water damage." 

Policyholders who have questions or concerns about their insurance coverage should contact the department's Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-726-7390 or visit insurance.mo.gov.

Flood insurance is available through the federal government's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It may be purchased through licensed property and casualty insurance agents or through many private insurance companies. Typically, there's a 30-day waiting period from date of purchase before a policy goes into effect. There are eligibility restrictions to qualify for National Flood Insurance. Consumers should contact the NFIP with eligibility questions at 800-427-4661.

For information about Missouri flooding recovery and resources check Mo.gov/flood. The site is regularly updated with new information.