Filing a claim with BP for property damage involves understanding how, and why, the BP claim form process works. British Petroleum, as the operators of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, are responsible for compensating any person or business harmed by the gulf oil spill that began on April 20, 2010. The oil rig experienced an explosion, killing 11 workers, and then sank, leaving a broken pipe that spills up to 65,000 gallons of oil per day into the Gulf of Mexico. Understanding how to file a claim against BP for property damage is critical for repayment.
BP OIl Spill and Oil Pollution Act
On June 16, 2010 British Petroleum announced that it would create a $20 billion fund to compensate workers, business owners, and private individuals for losses that result from the Deepwater Horizon gulf disaster. BP is required by the terms of the 1990 Oil Pollution Act to pay these losses. Some analysts estimate the total cost of this reimbursement at over $40 billion over the next two decades.
So how can business owners and private individuals get payments for property damage? Follow the BP claims submission form process.
BP Claim for Property Damage
Before filing a claim against BP, first gather supporting information that will help when completing the BP claim form. This information includes:
- Pictures. Take photos of damaged property.
- Estimates. Get contractor estimates for any damaged land, structures, or boats.
- Appraisals. In damaged real estate and beach cases, get a professional appraisal before filing a property damage claim with BP.
- Registrations. For vehicle and boat damage, provide proof of registration.
- Property and excise tax records. Use tax record to prove ownership and land value. For vehicles and boats, collect the VIN as well.
- Income tax records. Small businesses and self-employed workers may be able to use damaged equipment written off on taxes as the basis for a BP property damage claim.
Every claim will require different documents, so keep separate files for different claims (i.e. lost wages, property, medical issues).
For real estate damage to wet lands, beaches, and other forms of property, file a separate claim for each address. Damage to vehicles, boats and water vessels should be filed in one large claim, one claim per owner, regardless of how many vehicles or boats were damaged.
The BP claims form is self-explanatory, asking for basic information such as:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Property damage type (i.e. real estate vs. vehicle or boat)
- Description of property
- Value of property
Once the form is complete, click "Submit" and wait for a BP customer service representative to initiate phone contact within a few days. For specific questions, go in person to a BP claims office in Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida or Alabama.
The BP claims submission process for property damage will be less swift than that for lost income, wages and revenue. While waiting for the claim to be processed, research all opportunities to receive compensation for damaged property. Review insurance paperwork, search out local and federal grants, and watch for information in print and online about legal issues and possible lawsuits regarding the gulf oil spill.
More Gulf Oil Spill Articles
To learn more about filing claims against BP and getting financial payments, please read the following articles designed to help businesses and individuals to replace lost income and property following the Deepwater Horizon disaster:
BP Claims Phone Numbers and Gulf Oil Spill Management Hotline - learn which phone number to call for different problems related to the gulf disaster.
How to File a BP Claim for the Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Spill - looking for a general overview of the BP claims process? Read here to understand how the entire claims process works.
Filing a Claim with BP Oil Spill - Loss of Income and Interim Pay - individuals and companies that have lost income, revenue and wages need to file for interim payments from BP.
File a BP Claim Form for Self-Employed Workers for Loss of Income - self-employed workers are some of the most financially vulnerable. Cancelled contracts and lost work can ruin a sole proprietor. Learn how to get a BP payment.
References:
"BP to create $20B fund; Fla. claims hit $11M," Jacksonville Business Journal, June 16, 2010.
Neuman, Scott. "Extent of BP's Liability for Gulf Spill Still Murky," NPR, June 9, 2010.
"Oil Pollution Act Overview," United States Environmental Protection Agency, June 2010.
Melanie Zoltan - Melanie Zoltan is a former college professor and administrator who has written for About.com, PCWorld, Brain Child, Thomson Gale, and ...
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