How to file claims for flooded furniture

Tips from consumer advocates for filing insurance claims for flood-damaged furniture:

1. Read your policy. The language may be dense, but it's essential to know what's covered and what's not.

2. Make a list of everything lost or damaged. Take photographs of the expensive stuff -- even badly damaged items. If the sofa pillows floated away, take a picture of whatever stayed put. If looters took your refrigerator, take a picture of the empty space in the kitchen (and get a copy of the police report). If there is nothing left to photograph, ask friends and relatives to search their phones, cameras and albums for shots that may have your furniture in the background.

3. Don't pad your list. Insurance fraud is a felony. Claiming items you never owned could sink your entire claim.

4. Don't rush into a settlement. Carefully calculate the value of items. Receipts help, but are not essential. Prepare to be assertive with adjusters, but stay polite. Arguing could work against you.

5. Register for disaster assistance with FEMA. Even if you are denied aid, you may be eligible for other grants or low-interest loans to pick up where insurance leaves off.

For more information: United Policyholders, uphelp.org.