Storm Help Team Launches "Hear Us!" Campaign

New York, NY – Storm Help Team is encouraging Superstorm Sandy victims to focus on harnessing their frustrations at insurance companies into a social media campaign aimed at urging insurers to do right by their policy holders – to institute better business practices, more thorough investigation, more detailed responses that include payments and specific itemization of what will not be paid and why, and other helpful information needed during the insurance policy claims process.

The social media campaign is headed by Storm Help Team (Twitter: @stormhelpteam), a consortium of engineers, lawyers, public adjusters, estimators, general contractors, window / door inspection experts and other experts working throughout the Sandy-impacted area, led by renowned attorney and disaster relief reimbursement specialist Scott Mager.

“Having seen the effects of dozens of storms, and the continuing delays in payment, the time is now to empower property owners with all the experts and resources necessary to more quickly secure payment of all the money they deserve,” said Mager.

Experts have warned that even the government’s recent release of billions of dollars of grant and loan money does not guarantee anyone will receive the money they need.

The social media push includes a platform for Sandy victims to voice their “Hear Us!” message (hash tag: #HearUs) via photos, video and comment areas – focused on their personal stories of insurance company red tape that has resulted in little or no insurance relief, now months following the storm.

Residents and business owners impacted by Superstorm Sandy are asked to upload their photos or videos to the Storm Help Team Facebook page – www.facebook.com/StormHelpTeam and describe what they are posting. The platform includes a care package giveaway each week for the next four weeks until March 19. To be eligible, participants must “like” the Storm Help Team Facebook page, upload and describe their photo or video and share the contest on their own pages. The photo or video with the most likes will be deemed the winner. The care package is valued at $100 and includes a $50 VISA gift card, mini space heater, first aid kit, fleece blanket and plastic file folder to protect important documents.

Claimants will be able to share their stories and voice their frustration to insurance companies, showing their storm damage and expressing ways their insurance company could be responding to their claim more fairly and effectively. Mager, along with other professionals will engage online with those who upload photos and videos to offer advice, support and insights into next steps.

Participants are also urged to register their claims issue with Storm Help Team through a simple form via www.stormhelpteam.org , which will trigger free assistance with their claim.

Residents, business owners, condominium associations and others affected in the New York Metropolitan Area and throughout New Jersey, including the devastated shore areas, through Connecticut, Maryland and Rhode Island can contact Storm Help Team at www.StormHelpTeam.org or call (855) 58-STORM to receive a variety of helpful information, including finding and applying for disaster assistance; free claim evaluations; checking the progress of applications and claims; resources to recover and rebuild; and insurance disaster information for consumers, among many other resources.