Legal claims process with basement flooding Published June 3, 2013 Base Legal Office MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Recently, a small number of on-base housing units experienced basement flooding due to the spring precipitation. Consequently, it is important for on-base residents to be aware of the Air Force claims service process should a resident experience any loss or damage to his or her property. The Air Force claims process has changed significantly in the past few years. The Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps has initiated significant changes to claims processing. One of these improvements is the creation of a centralized claims center called the Air Force Claims Service Center (AFCSC). Filing claims directly with the Air Force claims service center is now the primary method of settling claims. It is no longer necessary to go to the base legal office to file a claim. However, the base legal office stands ready to assist Airmen and dependents with claims, to include conducting inspections, documenting damage or loss, and uploading forms and photos to the AFCSC for adjudication and settlement. The base legal office is located on the second floor, west side, of the PRIDE building on Minot AFB. It is important to note that any private insurance coverage will be the primary means of compensation and whatever amount an insurance company does not cover may be considered for payment by the Air Force Claims Service Center. To file a claim with the AFCSC an Active Duty sponsor should visit the AFCSC website at https://claims.jag.af.mil/ to receive a user name and password, or stop by the base legal office. Sponsors can authorize their spouse to file on their behalf. They can even do so while deployed as long as the sponsor has access to a computer. Once on the website, easy-to-follow instructions are available for filing a claim. In a basement flooding scenario, choose the tab that states, "File Non Household Goods Claim." This tab covers all claims that are not for household good moves. Once the claim has started, you will classify the incident as an "unusual occurrence". Finally, residents are advised to take preventive measures to avoid the potential for damage to personal property and not to rely on the Air Force claims process for reimbursement. Failure to take preventive action can in many cases result in denial of a claim. Furthermore, while the Air Force may reimburse claimants for property damage caused by the Air Force, recovery may be less than expected or perhaps barred if the claimant was negligent in preventing the damage. Therefore, if a base resident is informed that flooding is likely, it is best to remove items on the basement floor that could be damaged. If there are any questions at any point in the process, call the Claims Service Center 24/7 at DSN 986-8044 or toll-free 1-877-754-1212. If local assistance in filing a claim or communicating with the AFCSC is required, contact the base legal office at 723-3026.