North Carolina recently paid $1.8 million to compensate workers who were forced to file an unemployment Hurricane Florence insurance claim.

In the wake of Hurricane Florence, thousands of workers were left without work due to the damage caused to factories and plants. Around 25,000 workers in North Carolina have filed an unemployment Hurricane Florence insurance claim due to the natural disaster’s interference with their work.

According to a WFMY report, the Kayser-Roth plant in Lumberton, N.C. was one of the plants affected by Hurricane Florence. The plant, which has around 550 employees, is one of the east coast’s largest distributors of No Nonsense panty hose. However, the hurricane left the plant without power and forced hundreds of employees to go without work.

The plant was reportedly shut down for eight days while waiting for electricity to be restored. Because of this, the 550 employees working at the plant were basically unemployed for eight days – entitling them to file an unemployment Hurricane Florence insurance claim.

Eight days of unemployment may not seem like the end of the world, but many workers at the plant are living paycheck to paycheck, according to the plant’s human resource director. The eight days of no work may have compromised the financial stability of workers, putting them in a tough situation.

Luckily, the state of North Carolina has stepped in to pay over $1.8 million in unemployment claims. Workers affected by Hurricane Florence-related unemployment are able to collect up to $350 each week for 12 weeks based on the state’s compensation.

Residents affected by the natural disaster may also have had to file a Hurricane Florence insurance claim through their homeowner’s insurance. These claims are typically paid by a private insurance company based on the applicable coverage. Coverage will vary based on an individual’s plan, but most basic homeowner’s insurance plans cover damage to the primary dwelling, other structures, and personal property. Plans may also provide coverage for alternate living expenses and business interruption losses.

Although filing a Hurricane Florence insurance claim may help recover compensation, many homeowners are now aware that flood damage caused by a hurricane is rarely covered unless a separate flood insurance policy is purchased.

The process of filing a Hurricane Florence insurance claim can be daunting and complicated. Documentation is key to recovering maximum compensation, as this provides necessary information to the insurance company as they review claims. Taking the following steps may help expedite the Hurricane Florence insurance claim process:

• Contact the insurance company immediately to notify them of property damage or loss.
• Take photographs and videos of damaged property.
• Make an organized list of any damaged or missing items. Include receipts if they are still available.
• Prevent further damage with temporary repairs. Do not make permanent repairs and do not throw away anything that is damaged until after the property has been assessed.
• Keep all hurricane-related expense receipts. Expenses may include business expenses and alternative living expenses.
• Keep a record of all communication with the insurance company. Include any relevant information from the communication as well as which representative was spoken too.
• Start getting bids for permanent repairs. This information may be of use to an insurance adjuster.