(RALEIGH) -- Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today announced that homeowners whose insurance claims have been denied for damage caused by Hurricane Irene may be eligible for the North Carolina Department of Insurance’s Disaster Mediation Program.

Homeowners may be eligible for mediation if their claims for residential property damage have been partially or completely denied by their insurance company. During a mediation conference, an independent mediator with no connection to the insurance company will facilitate discussion and negotiation between the insurance company and the policyholder to help them reach a resolution.

“Many North Carolinians will be filing insurance claims in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Through mediation, eligible homeowners and insurance companies can resolve disputes in a fair and timely way,” Goodwin said.

The following counties have been declared disaster areas due to Hurricane Irene, making homeowners policyholders in those counties potentially eligible for the Disaster Mediation Program: Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Dare, Halifax, Hyde, Lenoir, Pamlico and Tyrrell. Additional counties could be added to the declaration.

The Disaster Mediation Program was created in 2006 to help homeowners resolve disputed homeowners insurance claims arising from disasters declared by the Governor or President.

To learn more about the Disaster Mediation Program, visit the Department of Insurance website.