Jefferson City, Mo. – Consumer specialists from the Missouri Department of Insurance will be at Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARC) in the Kansas City area on Monday (Aug. 28) and Tuesday (Aug. 29) from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. to assist residents impacted by recent flooding. The specialists will be at the Harrisonville United Methodist Church, 2600 E. Mechanic Road, Harrisonville, MO on Monday and at the Southview Christian Church, 13608 Norby Road, Grandview, MO on Tuesday.  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.

If you have questions regarding what your policy covers, we are here to assist," said Chlora Lindley-Myers, director of the department. "We have trained technical experts standing by who can help review policies and assist with claims if needed."

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.