<prompt> Human: So my parents house took on 6ft of water during Hurricane Harvey. The damages were estimated at 30,000. We have flood insurance through Allstate. We had flooding in 2008 from Hurricane Ike, about the same amount, and received a 6,000 pay out. In the time between after Hurricane Ike and now, weve done considerable remodels and additions to the house that made the damages cost way more from Hurricane Harvey. Allstates reason for only giving us 136 is because the water didnt reach our second floor, and wont give a reason as to why our payout was so much more from Hurricane Ike. We applied for FEMA aid and were denied because we have flood insurance, but 136 is basically nothing. We have 60 days to reapplycontest FEMAs decision. We are willing to get a lawyer but my mom is worried the cost of paying the lawyer will be greater than what we would be able to get from either FEMA or Allstate. Does anyone know what direction we should take from here? Also my parents are immigrants with limited Englishtechnology skills, so communication with the parties involved has been through me primarily, a college student with probably only a little more knowledge on insurance as my parents. Any advice will help. Thanks in advance.  <response>: Also, every time you change your house in a permanent wayanything intended to be permanently attached, you need to contact your insurance and get your coverage adjusted.At a guess your parents never updated the coverage to reflect the additions and whatnot so whatever insurance they have doesnt cover any of it, since it was never declared.Allstate doesnt really have a lot of control here. The govt creates and sets these policies in stone, then pays companies to service them which basically just means sell them. Document the damages as much as possible and talk to a lawyer. Usually, the first conversation will make it pretty clear what your options are. 