Emergency Resources
Guides to Emergency Resources:
If you lost food due to the flood, or you lost power and food due to the flood, you can request a replacement of your CalFresh benefits until February 21, 2024.
Contact Access Customer Service Center at 866-262-9881 or visit your local Family Resource Center.
Beneficiarios de CalFresh afectados por las inundaciones
Si perdieron alimentos o electricidad debido a la inundación, pueden solicitar un reemplazo de sus beneficios de CalFresh hasta el 21 de febrero de 2024.
Comuníquese con el Centro de Servicio al Cliente de Access (Access Customer Service Center) al 866-262-9881 o visite su Centro de Recursos Familiares local
Options for Dealing With Flood-Damaged Vehicles
Created on February 6, 2024
The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law. This document is intended only to provide clarity for the public regarding existing options for car owners affected by the recent floods. This Fact Sheet is intended to provide accurate, general information relating to federal student loans. Yet, because laws and legal procedures are subject to frequent change and differing interpretations, Legal Aid Society of San Diego cannot ensure the information in this Fact Sheet is current nor be responsible for any use to which it is put. Do not rely on this information without consulting an attorney or the appropriate agency about your rights in your particular situation. Please do not hesitate to call us to obtain the most up-to-date information regarding your situation.
Does car insurance cover flood damage?
Maybe. Car insurance will typically cover flood damage to your car if your car insurance policy includes “comprehensive coverage.” Take extensive photos and call your car insurance company to determine your next steps. “Comprehensive coverage” offers protection from events that are out of your control and don’t involve a crash, including extreme weather. Comprehensive coverage does not cover medical bills, crashes or personal property damaged in or stolen from your car.
What happens if I don’t have comprehensive coverage in my car insurance?
If you didn’t purchase comprehensive coverage, you will likely have to pay to repair the damage on your own.
As of right now, the floods have been declared a state disaster but not a federal disaster. If a federal disaster is declared, you might be able to get additional assistance from the government. According to FEMA, if the flooded area is subject to a federal disaster declaration, federal disaster assistance may help fill the gaps for those whose coverage does not pay for any or all storm-related damage costs. If FEMA doesn’t cover the damage, your other options include getting help from the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program or applying for a low-interest loan from the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). Keep in mind, you have to pay back an SBA loan, and assistance from ONA might be in limited amounts.
If nothing comes out of the FEMA, ONA, and SBA options, or you live outside the declared disaster area, you’ll likely need to pay the cost of repairing the damage on your own.
What happens if a leased car is flooded?
If you leased a car, comprehensive coverage is often required, so insurance would likely cover your vehicle. You can go through the same process of calling your insurer. Check your lease agreement and insurance coverage to find out the details.
If I have an auto loan, should I keep making my monthly car payment?
Yes, failing to make payments could damage your credit score. Unfortunately, your obligation to pay does not go away even if the car is damaged.
Make sure to talk with your vehicle finance company as soon as possible. Many manufacturer-related financing arms, like Ford Credit, GM Financial, Toyota Financial Services, and Kia Motors Finance, typically offer disaster-affected owners payment relief or flexible terms during hardship events.
Can a car be fixed after being flooded?
A vehicle may be fixable after being flooded, but it depends on the level of damage. Minor flooding may not cause much damage and the vehicle might be repairable. But a car insurance company could declare a vehicle a total loss if a car was sitting in water for days. That’s because damage caused by water, including electronic damage, can be complicated and expensive to repair. A repaired vehicle that went through the insurance claim process should be insurable once the work is completed, but the flooding incident will be on its vehicle history report. If your vehicle is totaled, you may still be able to keep your car as an “owner retained salvage.” You will get a salvage title and will need to make it legally roadworthy. Although salvage title means you can take your previously totaled vehicle on the road, you may have trouble finding car insurance. Insurers often view cars with a rebuilt title as riskier to insure than other vehicles. They may not offer you insurance or may decline to give you optional coverage like collision and comprehensive insurance.
What if I don’t have insurance and cannot afford to repair the car or keep making payments on it – should I surrender the car or wait for it to be repossessed?
Voluntarily surrendering a car involves informing your lender that you can no longer make payments and intend to return it. Arrange the time and place, and keep records of when, where and with whom you dropped it off. If you voluntarily surrender your car, then you won't be charged for the lender's repossession costs.
Generally, this means that the deficiency claim against you (i.e., the difference between the amount you owe on the loan versus the value of the vehicle) will be lower if you voluntarily give the car back. Another reason to choose voluntary surrender is that it might look better on your credit report. A voluntary surrender or “voluntary repossession,” along with any resulting collections or court judgements for the deficiency, can remain on your credit reports for up to seven years. Your credit report will likely list “voluntary surrender” instead of “repossession,” which may do slightly less damage to your credit. Nevertheless, the negative impact to your credit may make it more difficult to get a loan in the future. If you do get approved, lenders will likely charge a higher interest rate due to the higher risk of defaulting on the loan.
What if I want to keep and pay for the repairs to my car, but cannot afford both the auto loan payment and the cost of the repairs?
Contact your lender. Let your lender know you’re struggling to make payments as a result of the flood damage and the repairs needed to the vehicle. Your lender may be willing to change your loan terms so that your payments are more affordable. Some lenders might allow you to delay a payment or change your payment schedule. Be sure to get any new loan terms in writing.
I am having trouble making my student loan payments after the recent floods. What options do I have?
If you’ve been financially harmed by the recent floods in San Diego County, you may have options for lowering or pausing your monthly student loan payment. Your options depend on whether you have a federal student loan or a private student loan. Your first step should be to find out what kind of loan you have.
- Check your monthly statement. If the lender on your billing statement is a bank, credit union, or other financial institution, your loan is most likely private. You can also contact the lender directly to confirm whether it’s a private or federal loan.
- If you’re making payments to a loan servicer, you can contact them and verify what type of loan you have. The following are federal student loan servicers:
- EdFinancial
- MOHELA
- Aidvantage
- Nelnet
- ECSI
- Check your credit report
If your credit report says your student loan is with the Department of Education, it’s probably a federal student loan. You can get a free copy of your credit report every week at annualcreditreport.com - Check the Federal Student Aid site at studentaid.gov
Any loan listed on this website is a federal student loan. If you have a student loan on your credit report that does not show up on www.studentaid.gov it is likely a private loan.
I am having trouble paying my federal student loan. Is there any “disaster-related assistance” I can apply for?
On February 19, 2024, the federal government made a “natural disaster declaration” for the recent storm and flooding in San Diego County. If you were affected by the recent floods and are having trouble making your federal student loan payments, you can ask your loan servicer to pause or lower your loan payments for up to 90 days through a “natural disaster forbearance.” Your servicer will place your loan into “forbearance,” which will prevent payments from being due during that time.
Interest continues to accrue (add up) during a forbearance or deferment. That means the interest on the amount you owe builds up and gets added to the loan principal (which then accrues its own interest) and could end up costing you more in the long run.
Once the forbearance period related to the disaster is over, you may ask your loan servicer for more forbearance time. Your servicer can grant more forbearance time in 30-day increments for a maximum of 12 months from the date of the disaster.
Income Based Repayment Plans
Even if you were not affected by the floods, if you have federal student loans you can switch to a different repayment plan, such as an income-driven repayment plan (IDR) where your monthly payment is based on your income.
If you are already enrolled in an IDR plan but you still can’t afford your monthly payment you can ask for a “plan recertification”. That means you can report your new (lower) income and request that your monthly payment be reduced right away. You can manage your current IDR Repayment Plan online at the studentaid.gov website here: Apply for or Manage Your Income-Driven Repayment Plan | Federal Student Aid
You can estimate your monthly payments on all the available repayment plans by using the “Loan Simulator” here
If you want to see how you can lower your student loan payment, click here: Personal Information | Find the Best Repayment Strategy | Federal Student Aid
I’ve tried looking into disaster-related assistance but I still can’t make payments on my federal loan. Will I have any issues if I don’t make payments?
If you can’t make your payment on your federal loan, the federal government has a special program (the “on-ramp” period) that can help you through September 30, 2024.
During this “on-ramp” period, student loan borrowers who have missed payments (or only made partial payments) will automatically be placed in a forbearance for the payments that were missed.
During the “on-ramp,” your student loan account:
- will not be considered “delinquent” (past due) and will be made “current”;
- will not be reported as “delinquent” (past due) to the credit bureaus; and
- will not go into “default” status (when you have not made a payment in more than 270 days)
It’s important to remember that during the “on-ramp” period, payments are still due and interest will continue to be added. You will still owe this money after the “on-ramp” period is over.
You do not need to request or enroll in the “on-ramp” period. If you were eligible for the COVID payment pause, you are automatically eligible for the “on-ramp.”
I am having trouble paying my private student loan. Is there any “disaster-related assistance” I can apply for?
Private student loan lenders are not required to offer you any relief, and you may need to show proof of your hardship. If you can’t make your payments contact your lender right away. For private student loans, your specific options will depend on your lender and your loan agreement. Review your loan agreement and contact your lender to ask if they have options for lowering or pausing your monthly payment based on your situation. Each private lender sets its own repayment and deferment options, so your loan terms and options may differ from your friend’s loan.
Interest continues to accrue (add up) during a forbearance or deferment on private student loans. That means the interest on the amount you owe builds up and gets added to the loan principal (which then accrues its own interest) and could end up costing you more in the long run.
What happens if I miss a private student loan payment?
The first day after you miss a payment due date, your loan becomes “delinquent.” If you continue to miss payments, your loan will eventually enter “default.” For private student loans, you can default as soon as you miss 3 monthly payments. A default note will go on your credit report, which will likely lower your credit score.
If a parent or other family member is on your loan, let them know you are in danger of missing payments. Any missed payment will likely hurt their credit, too.
Please see our Housing Resources page here
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