The Headache with Insurance

3/4 Hurricane Sandy experiences from Canarsie, Brooklyn

An approximately six foot gate and short slope is the only thing that separates the homes next to the inlet of Jamaica Bay. Maria Garettt (pictured left in front of her broken central A/C unit that is now out of service) and her husband own the home closest to the water on their block.

She said “I’m going to advocate for a better barrier along our property line. This [pointing to the iron fence that got pushed down to the ground by the water] is not strong enough. Also, we need to get people organized because the insurance companies are trying to stiff everyone on the block. We all have insurance but no one gets flood coverage in Canarsie.

The fence next to Maria Garret's home

The water ruined everyone’s garage and the insurance company is still saying ‘we have to see if you can get compensated.’ I don’t want to hear that. If I had saved all the money I have faithfully paid them for the past 17 years. I wouldn’t be worried right now because I could have paid for all of this. I’m getting nothing in return. This is gonna be a fight.”

Maria filed a FEMA claim but until then she estimates about $75,000 in higher utility bills and damaged goods. Maria is using several space heaters to warm her home. Plus a central Air Condition unit that was outside of his property, furnace, a washer and dryer, freezer and refrigerator was ruined.