BANNER ELK, N.C. — Among the headaches people are facing in the wake of Helene's destruction includes dealing with insurance claims for property damage. Cellular service and internet connections are still being restored in western North Carolina, meaning some neighbors aren't able to file for claims easily.
This is where an insurance village comes in. It's a one-stop shop for people to file claims and connect with the companies in charge of their policies. One such zone was set up in the parking lot of the Lowes Foods store in Banner Elk.
Bradley Myers is an agent with Farmers Bureau Insurance. He's set up shop in the Banner Elk insurance village and he and other agents are doing their best to help those who lost so much to the storm.
"It's tough telling people 'hey, you know you might not have coverage,'" he said, "but this is what we can try to do: review your insurance with your agent, go talk to 'em, see what you can do."
North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey visited the Banner Elk site Thursday as well. He commented on the destruction Helene wrought.
"It is the most widespread devastation I've ever seen in my lifetime," he told WCNC Charlotte. "Way more than 13,000 farms, most of the crops, lots of equipment destroyed -- untold thousands of small businesses literally washed away."
However, Causey notes not everyone may be able to fully claim for damages done by the storm.
"The real sad part is less than 3% of homeowners in the state have flood insurance," he said.
Homeowners' insurance doesn't usually include damage caused by flooding; rather, flood insurance is a separate policy in most cases. Morgan O'Brien, an agent with Nationwide at the insurance village, said there are some things in the homeowners' insurance policies that can be reviewed more closely.
"Food spoilage may be covered and property damage, as long as you speak to your adjuster and you're able to confirm your coverage at that time," she said.
Causey also noted he's working to expand flood insurance offerings in North Carolina, but said neighbors without it have to get help from other sources.
"They're gonna be dependent on charity, FEMA assistance, government grants," he said. "For businesses, there are small business loans."
The Banner Elk insurance village will return on Friday, Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Another one will be set up at the Lowes Foods in Arden on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24. The insurance village moves around to reach the hardest-hit areas in western North Carolina. There are also several victim assistance centers stationed throughout the area.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.