City and DHSEM Warn of Phone Scam Claiming to Assist Landslide Impacted Residents

NEWS RELEASE
February 24, 2016

City Warns of Phone Scam Claiming to Assist Landslide Impacted Residents

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.-- The City of Colorado Springs has been made aware of a phone scam targeting people in areas known to be impacted by recent landslide activity. The caller claims to be from a government organization offering “secure grant loans”. The caller ID identifies the number as being “unknown”; however the phone calls do not appear to be legitimate and did not originate from the City of Colorado Springs nor the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

The Colorado Springs Office of Emergency Management and the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will only contact property owners who have expressed an interest in participating in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and have provided their contact information to one of these entities. They will not request any type of payment. The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will not contact homeowners directly regarding grant programs.

People receiving these calls should contact the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint. To expedite their complaint, victims are encouraged to report it to the FTC rather than contact the police department. The police department will only investigate this type of activity if the victim has actually paid money. If a victim has actually lost money to this scam please report it to CSPD’s non-emergency number at (719) 444-7000 or online at www.coloradosprings.gov. Click on “Public Safety” and then on “Report a Crime”.

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News Release: DHSEM Partners with Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association to Remind You to Check Your Insurance Coverage

Call Your Insurance Agent Today to Check Your Insurance Coverage Limits

Contact:  Micki Trost
               Cell Phone:  303-472-4087
               EMAIL:  micki.trost@state.co.us

Denver - Thursday, May 29, 2014 - The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is partnering with the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association (RMIIA) to remind Colorado homeowners and renters to contact their insurance agents to review their insurance coverage.  Those insured should:

• Check the value of your insurance policy against rising local building costs each year.  You do not want to be caught under-insured after a disaster.
• Check the limits of your insurance coverage.  Will it cover floods, mudslides, landslides or mudflows?  
• Secure coverage for risks in your area today.  Basic homeowners insurance typically excludes "Difference in Conditions" such as flood, landslide, mudflow and earthquakes and may include a 30-day wait period before coverage goes into effect.

The RMIIA has posted information on their website to get you started in learning more about insurance coverage.  The information is posted at  http://www.rmiia.org/catastrophes_and_statistics/Mudslide.asp.  

Landslide, Mudslide & Mudflow

A massive mudslide endangering homes in Mesa County, Colorado... The tragic Washington State mudslide... These events raise questions about what's covered by insurance and what's not. Here's what you need to know:

• Homeowners, renters and business insurance policies typically exclude flood, mudflow, landslide and earthquake. Also visit:Homeowners Insurance Basics

• Landslides, mudslides and mudflow are considered different perils and require different insurance—separate from a homeowners or business policy. Landslides and mudslides are primarily earth movement, while a mudflow is caused by water picking up soil and turning into mud. With a mudflow, the primary ingredient is water, so flood insurance will typically cover parts of this loss. Click here to read about flood insurance and mudflow.

• The National Flood Insurance Program offers "Flood & Mudflow" coverage up to $250,000 for a homeowner and $500,000 for a business. Renters can buy policies for their personal contents. Flood insurance must be purchased 30 days in advance of a flood. Also visit: www.floodsmart.gov

• A "Difference In Conditions" policy includes coverage for flood, landslide, mudflow and earthquake. Depending on risk factors, such as the slope of your property or proximity to a cliff, a homeowner with a $300,000 house can expect to pay $1,000 or more per year for this coverage.

• A "Difference In Conditions" policy can only be purchased through a surplus-lines carrier as a stand-alone policy. Click here for details.

• Separate earthquake policies or endorsements to homeowners insurance policies exclude landslides that are not caused by an earthquake. Click here to read about earthquake and insurance.

• Prepare in advance: Evacuation Plan, Emergency Kit, Insurance Coverage, Home Inventory

• Insurance is tied to the "cause of loss" or what peril caused the damage. So, any coverage you have under your homeowners or business insurance policy does not apply if the peril is excluded—flood, mudslide, mudflow, earthquake. That means additional living expenses "ALE" or business interruption is NOT covered. Flood insurance also does not cover ALE or business interruption. Also visit: Homeowners Insurance Basics.