FLOOD CLAIM General Property (commercial) | Please Confirm Receipt + Next Steps
Initial commercial/General Property first-contact guidance with GP document requests, photos, contents, mortgagee, mitigation, policy notes, and role limitations.
Template use: Replace placeholders such as POLICYHOLDER, claim-specific dates, amounts, Carrier names, and loss details before sending. Keep the adjuster authority disclaimer intact unless a Carrier/IA firm requires alternate wording.
PLEASE REPLY TO THIS EMAIL TO CONFIRM RECEIPT. THANK YOU! 📩 My name is Chris Gutshall, and I have been assigned as your NFIP Flood Insurance Adjuster for this claim. Below is a copy of my NFIP Authorized Adjuster ID card. 🪪 If we have not yet spoken, I will be calling you shortly. If I’ve already attempted to reach you, please return my call ASAP so we can discuss your losses, review next steps, and schedule your inspection. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 📞 YOUR FLOOD ADJUSTER IS YOUR CONTACT FOR EVERYTHING RELATED TO THIS FLOOD CLAIM: CHRIS GUTSHALL NFIP REGISTERED ADJUSTER Email: gutflood@outlook.com <mailto:gutflood@outlook.com> Cell: 330-437-9168 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ✅ IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES * Begin cleanup and dry-out ASAP, but take plenty of photos throughout the entire process (BEFORE, DURING & AFTER EACH DAY OF WORK). 📸 * Wet materials must be removed as soon as possible, and cannot wait for the adjuster’s inspection, but must be photographed before removal/disposal! 🗑️📸 📅 INSPECTION SCHEDULING * If we have not already set an appointment, I will be scheduling your inspection very soon. * In the meantime, please review and complete the items below as applicable. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ⚡ ACTION ITEMS 📝 Commercial Flood Questionnaire (Attached) Please complete and return it in any way that’s easiest: * Email it back, * Take a photo and text it to me, or * Print and bring it to the inspection * If you can’t complete it in advance, no problem. I’ll have a hard copy at the inspection. * If you don’t know an answer, simply leave it blank. 📎 REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR ALL GP (COMMERCIAL) CLAIM COMPLETION Please be advised: this claim cannot be finalized, and payment cannot be issued until the following documentation is provided to your adjuster, as applicable to your business/entity: ☐ Articles of Incorporation (if applicable) filed with the Secretary of State ☐ LLC Articles / Certificate of Formation (if applicable) filed with the Secretary of State ☐ Deed (proof of ownership of the insured real property) ☐ Purchase orders / books of account / inventory records (proof of ownership of personal property and/or stock) ☐ Rental/Lease Agreement (if tenant occupied, building and/or contents, as applicable) ☐ Mortgage information (to confirm whether the mortgage applies to the building and/or contents) ☐ Note: If contents are included in the mortgage, the mortgage company may be required on any contents payment check ☐ All other insurance policy declarations pages + relevant policy pages showing flood coverage or the exclusion of flood coverage within ☐ Operating Agreement (or other documentation) showing who is authorized to sign and/or make decisions on the entity’s behalf 📸 Photographs Please photograph everything, including both building and personal property/contents damages. I do not need the photos now or at the inspection, but I may request them later when I am finalizing documentation. Please keep them saved and ready to share. 📦 Contents (If You Have Contents Coverage) Photograph damaged items before disposal and follow the attached Contents Listing Instructions / Worksheet. * The fastest method is to complete the attached Excel spreadsheet and email it to me (I can import the Excel sheet directly into the claim file, so it saves us all time). * If Excel isn’t an option, you may use printed worksheets or handwritten lists, whatever is easiest for you. I can also bring paper copies to the inspection. * We will need serial/model numbers for electronics, tools, major appliances, and other higher-value items (generally $500+). 🏦 Mortgage Company (If Applicable) If there is a mortgage on the building, please notify your mortgage company of the flood loss. Building payment checks ALWAYS include both you and the mortgage company, and the lender will provide instructions for releasing funds. 🌀 Mitigation / Drying Work * If you plan to hire a mitigation company, please review the attached FEMA Drying Guide (W-13025A) and provide it to them. * You must ensure wet materials are removed before ANY mechanical drying begins. * Drying and mitigation-related charges are evaluated only to the extent they are necessary to address covered flood damage and are reasonable, properly supported, and tied to the covered loss. * FEMA Bulletin W-13025A is provided as NFIP claims guidance to help adjusters and insurers consistently evaluate, document, and determine the allowability of structural drying and related mitigation charges (e.g., air movers, dehumidifiers, and associated monitoring) under the SFIP. The purpose of this document is to support accurate claim handling and prevent overpayment or underpayment through uniform standards for necessity, reasonableness, and documentation; it is not intended to serve as a field manual or instruction guide on how to physically dry a building. * For structural drying and other related items (e.g., dehumidifiers, air movers, and similar dry-out measures), FEMA Bulletin W-13025A provides the NFIP’s claims guidance on when and how such items may be allowed under the SFIP, and this guidance is incorporated into the NFIP Claims Manual (Appendix D: Structural Drying [W-13025A]). Accordingly, drying/mitigation work is payable only to the extent it is necessary, reasonable, and documented in a manner consistent with W-13025A; charges outside that guidance are subject to being disallowed and may be flagged as improper if they result in an overpayment/underpayment. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 📜POLICY NOTES 🏢 Commercial Building Coverage Note Under the SFIP General Property (GP) Form, each policy is written for one specific commercial building/structure only. The policy language states that it “insures only one building” and that coverage applies to the single building specifically described in the Flood Insurance Application/Declarations. What that means in practice: * If a commercial location has multiple separate buildings on the same parcel (e.g., office + warehouse + detached shop), the GP policy will cover only the one building listed/identified on the policy, not the entire property. * To insure multiple structures, separate SFIP policies are required (one per structure). * Any contents coverage under that GP policy is tied to the insured building only, not other structures elsewhere on the premises. 🔎 Important SFIP Coverage Notes (Common Exclusions) * Under the SFIP, coverage is limited to documented direct physical loss by or from flood. * Under the SFIP, The SFIP does not pay to replace undamaged property solely to achieve a “match” in appearance, brand, model, or compatibility. For example, if floodwater damages the outdoor condenser/heat pump but the indoor air handler/furnace is not flood-damaged, the SFIP pays only for the damaged unit, even if code, manufacturer guidance, or refrigerant/compatibility issues require/suggest replacing both together. This is just one example that pertains to the Pair and Set Clause of the SFIP. * In general, the policy covers the walled and roofed building structure, but does NOT cover items such as landscaping/trees/shrubs, fences, driveways/walkways, seawalls/bulkheads/docks, wells, hot tubs, swimming pools, and related equipment, among other items. For full detail, please see the Exclusions section in the SFIP. * 🚫 There are important Coverage Restrictions within Basements or Areas Below the Lowest Elevated Floor of POST-FIRM ELEVATED (PFE) Buildings. I’ve attached the policy summary page outlining what is covered vs. excluded in those areas. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🧾 MY ROLE IN YOUR CLAIM, AS YOUR ASSIGNED NFIP REGISTERED FLOOD ADJUSTER 🌊 My duty is to verify that a General Condition of Flooding (GCF) occurred and to assist with assessing and documenting covered flood-related damages under the Standard Flood Insurance Policy (SFIP). 🏠 I will inspect the property, document damages, and prepare an itemized estimate of covered damages based on like kind and quality, then submit my findings and recommendations to your insurance carrier. 📝 I will provide a Proof of Loss form, but the SFIP states this is a matter of courtesy only and does not change the policyholder’s duties. ⏳ The SFIP requires the policyholder to send a signed and sworn Proof of Loss within 60 days after the loss, even if the adjuster does not furnish the form or help complete it. 🤝 The SFIP requires the policyholder to cooperate with the adjuster during the investigation and to provide supporting documentation when requested. 🏛️ OF MOST IMPORTANCE: I cannot approve/deny coverage and I do not issue payments. Payments are issued by your insurer, and my recommendations are subject to their review and approval. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ NFIP REFERENCE LINKS * NFIP FLOOD CLAIMS HANDBOOK -2024-08: https://agents.floodsmart.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/2025-07/fema-nfip-claims-handbook-08-2024.pdf <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fagents.floodsmart.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fmedia%2Fdocument%2F2025-07%2Ffema-nfip-claims-handbook-08-2024.pdf&data=05%7C02%7C%7C32419f31247e4a0bff5008de71c848be%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639073302207862531%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=rxes7iXt%2FxWfv7sh4MKQ3CrIWPnwzCx0wLAmiffbeis%3D&reserved=0> * INCREASED COST OF COMPLIANCE (ICC) BROCHURE: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-05/Increased_Cost_Compliance.pdf <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fema.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2020-05%2FIncreased_Cost_Compliance.pdf&data=05%7C02%7C%7C32419f31247e4a0bff5008de71c848be%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639073302207895675%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=zTOp9WyFOl0vFdNzRBPZWjE5XzBIyvH3tQ7%2B%2FZs1mFU%3D&reserved=0> * NFIP / SFIP GENERAL PROPERTY FORM (COMMERCIAL) -2021-10: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_F-123-general-property-SFIP_2021.pdf <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fema.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fdocuments%2Ffema_F-123-general-property-SFIP_2021.pdf&data=05%7C02%7C%7C32419f31247e4a0bff5008de71c848be%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639073302207913646%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=lIdIqqX95fpRHpVjRYgVEwjyvaUgbkmTj7PZ0ftqJc4%3D&reserved=0> * FEMA MEMO W-13025A -CLAIMS GUIDANCE – STRUCTURAL DRYING GUIDELINES: https://agents.floodsmart.gov/sites/default/files/bulletins/W-13025a/w-13025a.pdf <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fagents.floodsmart.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fbulletins%2FW-13025a%2Fw-13025a.pdf&data=05%7C02%7C%7C32419f31247e4a0bff5008de71c848be%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639073302207932953%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=OpLvKbxgWbr9dObpsW4xEMo9TCUMr0StIou3aHFj74I%3D&reserved=0> * SFIP BASEMENT RESTRICTIONS FACT SHEET: https://agents.floodsmart.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/2025-07/fema-nfip-basement-flooding-fact-sheet-01-2022.pdf <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fagents.floodsmart.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fmedia%2Fdocument%2F2025-07%2Ffema-nfip-basement-flooding-fact-sheet-01-2022.pdf&data=05%7C02%7C%7C32419f31247e4a0bff5008de71c848be%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639073302207950347%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=6Gj6YT8tHmo%2BsEj2tcE5RMxqdUpO%2Bp6zFYjyEDSbszw%3D&reserved=0> * NFIP SUMMARY OF COVERAGE BROCHURE: https://www.selective.com/~/media/Files/S/Selective-V2/documents/Flood/fema_nfip-summary-coverage_jul2020.pdf <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.selective.com%2F~%2Fmedia%2FFiles%2FS%2FSelective-V2%2Fdocuments%2FFlood%2Ffema_nfip-summary-coverage_jul2020.pdf&data=05%7C02%7C%7C32419f31247e4a0bff5008de71c848be%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639073302207967040%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vigS%2F%2BKx%2B5axfo7iNtPlXszy267BYpNuXe16vLDDKAU%3D&reserved=0> * NFIP PROTECT THE LIFE YOU’VE BUILT BROCHURE: https://agents.floodsmart.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/2025-07/fema-nfip-protect-the-life-youve-built-brochure-09-2022.pdf <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fagents.floodsmart.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fmedia%2Fdocument%2F2025-07%2Ffema-nfip-protect-the-life-youve-built-brochure-09-2022.pdf&data=05%7C02%7C%7C32419f31247e4a0bff5008de71c848be%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639073302207983976%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=dmaWB%2F0%2FFm%2F3QyqPZOp0UzzL0FJN7QJ97o560Hk7S9A%3D&reserved=0> ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 📎 ATTACHMENTS HEREIN * COMMERCIAL FLOOD QUESTIONNAIRE -Please see above regarding completion and return * BASEMENT & PFE RESTRICTIONS (page from the SFIP) * SUMMARY OF COVERED BUILDING ITEMS BELOW THE LOWEST ELEVATED FLOOR OF A PFE * FEMA MEMO W-13025A -CLAIMS GUIDANCE – STRUCTURAL DRYING GUIDELINES * CONTENTS LISTING INSTRUCTIONS * CONTENTS LISTING EXCEL SPREADSHEET * OPTIONAL CONTENTS PRINT OUT ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Christopher T. Gutshall Insurance Adjuster NFIP FCN 0070008289 M 330.437.9168 | E gutflood@outlook.com <mailto:gutflood@outlook.com> Authority & Disclaimer: Field adjusters cannot approve/deny coverage or authorize payment. Final claim decisions are made only by the carrier. Confidentiality Notice: This email may contain privileged or confidential information intended only for the recipient. If you received it in error, please delete it and notify me.
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