NFIP Flood Claim Steps and the 60-Day Proof of Loss
If you carry a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy, the claim has a clear order of steps and one deadline that matters more than the rest: the signed proof of loss, generally due within 60 days of the loss unless FEMA extends it. This guide walks through the steps for Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County owners after the October to November 2026 San Juan River flooding. It is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Your policy, your insurer and FloodSmart.gov have the final word.
Dates as of November 1, 2026
The San Juan River crested at 15.02 ft on October 23, 2026, and a second crest was forecast for the night of November 1, 2026. If your home flooded in both events, ask your insurer in writing whether they treat it as one loss or two, and which date starts each 60-day clock.
Step 1: Report the claim to your flood insurer
NFIP policies are usually sold and serviced by private insurance companies. Call the company named on your flood policy, or your agent, and open a claim. Have your policy number, address and a phone number where you can be reached. If you can't find your paperwork, ask for a copy. Colorado law (C.R.S. 10-4-110.8) requires an insurer to provide one within 3 business days of a request. The NFIP Help Center listed on FloodSmart.gov can help if you don't know who your insurer is.
Write down the claim number, the date you reported and the name of each person you speak with.
Step 2: Document before you clean
Adjusters work from evidence. Before anything leaves the house, and only when it is safe to go in:
- Photograph and video every room, wide and close, including the waterline on walls.
- Photograph serial and model numbers on the furnace, water heater, washer, dryer and other appliances.
- Keep samples of carpet, pad and flooring from each room.
- Start a contents list: item, room, rough age, what it cost.
- Keep receipts for fans, dehumidifiers, cleaning supplies and any emergency work.
Then start removing water and wet materials. Waiting for the adjuster before drying can make the loss worse. The EPA says that if wet materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours, in most cases mold will not grow. Ask your insurer what they want you to keep for inspection, and set it aside.
Step 3: Meet the adjuster
The insurer assigns an adjuster to inspect the damage. Walk them through each room, show your photos and samples, and hand over your contents list. Ask:
- What is covered under building coverage and what falls under contents coverage?
- Are there limits on what is covered in a basement or below the lowest elevated floor? NFIP policies generally limit this; ask for the exact wording.
- Will you prepare a proof of loss for me, or do I prepare my own?
- When will I get a written estimate?
Adjusters often prepare a proof of loss based on their estimate. You are still the one who signs it, so read it before you do.
Step 4: Sign and send the proof of loss within 60 days
The proof of loss is your sworn statement of the amount you are claiming. FEMA's guidance says to submit it within 60 days of the loss unless FEMA extends the deadline. Extensions sometimes follow large disasters, but don't count on one. If you disagree with the adjuster's figure, ask your insurer how to submit your own proof of loss with your documentation, and get the instructions in writing.
| Step | Who does it | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Report the claim | You, to your flood insurer | As soon as you safely can |
| Photos, samples, contents list | You, with help if needed | Before cleanup, then ongoing |
| Water removal and drying | You or a restoration company | Start promptly; EPA cites 24 to 48 hours for mold |
| Adjuster inspection | The insurer's adjuster | As scheduled by the insurer |
| Signed proof of loss | You sign it | Within 60 days of the loss unless FEMA extends |
| Payment or written decision | The insurer | After review |
What restoration companies can and can't do
A restoration company can extract water, set drying equipment and keep daily moisture logs and photos. Those records help show why tear-out was needed and how long drying took. The flood claim documentation page explains what a good drying file looks like.
What they shouldn't do is negotiate or "handle" your claim. In Colorado, adjusting a claim for a homeowner is public adjuster work, which requires a license from the Division of Insurance, and a public adjuster may not take part in the repairs. Be cautious with anyone who asks you to sign over your claim rights before you understand what you are signing, or who offers to cover your deductible.
Before tear-out: two questions
Asbestos. The Town of Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County warn that drywall in older homes may contain asbestos in joint compound or tape. Colorado's Regulation 8 requires inspection before disturbing more than small amounts in single-family homes (32 sq ft of surface or 50 linear ft of pipe). Ask about testing first, and keep the report for your claim file.
Permits. Archuleta County requires a Floodplain Development Permit before any work in the floodway or floodplain. Inside Town limits, contact the Town Building Division. Ask whether a substantial damage determination applies to your house before rebuilding; it can affect what the repair must include.
What NFIP generally does not do
- It generally does not pay living expenses while you are displaced; confirm on FloodSmart.gov. 211 Colorado (call 211 or visit 211colorado.org) can point you to shelter and housing help.
- A new policy generally has a 30-day waiting period, so buying one now won't cover a flood that already happened.
- Flood coverage is separate from FEMA disaster aid. As of November 1, 2026, FEMA Individual Assistance has not been approved for the 2026 flood. See FEMA and SBA help for the Archuleta County flood.
If you have no flood policy
Read does homeowners insurance cover flood in Colorado for what a homeowners policy may still cover. Free volunteer help with muck-out is available through Crisis Cleanup at 970-283-7325, through November 6, 2026 per the Town; check current status. The Pagosa Springs flood 2026 recovery guide lists every dated resource in one place.
Getting written estimates
Adjusters and insurers generally expect itemized, written estimates. National published ranges put flood cleanup at about $4 to $12 per sq ft (HomeGuide) and water extraction at $3.75 to $7.50 per sq ft (Fixr), with river losses and tear-out often running higher. The water damage cost guide has the full table. To compare written quotes from independent local restoration companies, use the free quote form. Pagosa Springs Water Damage Pros is a free quote service. It is not an insurer, an adjuster or a government program.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NFIP proof of loss deadline?
FEMA says to submit a signed proof of loss within 60 days of the loss unless FEMA extends the deadline. Ask your flood insurer to confirm the date in writing.
Can I start cleaning before the adjuster arrives?
Yes, after you photograph and video the damage and keep flooring samples. Removing water and wet materials quickly helps limit mold. Ask your insurer what to set aside for inspection.
Does the adjuster's proof of loss have to be the one I sign?
No. Adjusters often prepare one, but you sign it and are responsible for it. If you disagree with the amount, ask your insurer how to submit your own proof of loss with your documentation.
Is my NFIP claim the same as FEMA disaster aid?
No. An NFIP claim is an insurance claim under your policy. FEMA Individual Assistance is a separate disaster program, and as of November 1, 2026 it has not been approved for the 2026 flood.