Missouri Regulators Urge Insurers to Extend Flood Coverage

Missouri regulators are asking insurance companies to go beyond normal procedures to cover furniture, electronics and other belongings that must be moved because of flooding.

The state insurance department says policies for homeowners and renters normally cover personal property for only a short time — such as 30 days — when it is moved from its permanent location.

With forecasts calling for prolonged flooding along the Missouri River, state insurance department director John Huff says a 30-day coverage period for relocated items may not be long enough.

Huff has sent insurance companies a memo urging them to extend full coverage of personal property until residents are able to move back home. He says insurance directors in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota have taken similar actions.