The Insurance Claims Village will reopen in Greenville County on Friday morning, continuing efforts to assist residents affected by recent disasters.
On Thursday, the South Carolina Department of Insurance set up the village in the Home Depot parking lot at 79 Woodruff Industrial Lane. It provided a platform for residents to engage directly with insurance providers and government agencies to file claims or seek aid for damages to their homes or vehicles.
The village will operate again on Friday, starting at 9 a.m. and continuing until 6 p.m.
“We have a lot of insurance companies out here to help answer questions,” said Michael Wise, Director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance. “People can come out and file a claim if they have damage to their home or to an automobile. We also have government resources available to assist.”
Among the insurance companies present were Heritage Insurance, State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, USAA, Travelers, Farm Bureau, and Geico.
FEMA staff will also return on Friday, offering guidance for individuals beginning the application process for federal aid. Gabriel Gonzalez, a FEMA spokesperson, advised attendees to bring proof of residency, identification, and banking information to ensure a smooth application process. Once approved, applicants could receive aid within seven to 10 business days via direct deposit.
South Carolina currently has 16 counties with approved major disaster declarations, including:
- Aiken
- Anderson
- Bamberg
- Barnwell
- Cherokee
- Edgefield
- Greenville
- Greenwood
- Laurens
- Lexington
- Newberry
- Oconee
- Pickens
- Saluda
- Spartanburg
- Union
North Carolina has 26 areas with approved disaster declarations, including:
- Alexander
- Alleghany
- Ashe
- Avery
- Buncombe
- Burke
- Caldwell
- Catawba
- Clay
- Cleveland
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina
- Gaston
- Haywood
- Henderson
- Jackson
- Lincoln
- Macon
- Madison
- McDowell
- Mitchell
- Polk
- Rutherford
- Transylvania
- Watauga
- Wilkes
- Yancey
Residents from these affected areas are encouraged to visit the Insurance Claims Village for assistance in navigating the recovery process.
