The Department of Financial Services disaster hotline will now be open 24-7 to help New Yorkers in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the announcement yesterday. The hotline, 800-339-1759, was previously operating from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
“People pay for insurance so it will protect them from disasters such as Hurricane Sandy,” Benjamin M. Lawsky, superintendent of financial services, said in a press release. “The Department of Financial Services is monitoring the insurers”™ response and will step in whenever necessary to aid homeowners.”
The Department of Financial Services is sending its mobile command center to hard hit areas to help consumers with questions and problems, and is staffing disaster assistance centers throughout the state.
DFS urges homeowners who experienced property losses to file insurance claims with their insurers promptly and as soon as possible after losses occur. Homeowners unable to resolve disputes with insurers can also file complaints at dfs.ny.gov/consumer/fileacomplaint.htm.
