Tag: flood coverage

Flood insurance has new risks ahead

H. Cutner
Flood Insurance

This federal program is already on shaky legs, but is facing even greater strains. The National Flood Insurance Program has never recovered from falling into $18 billion of debt after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and now it is headed back toward a position where its funds are running slim as the massive reconstruction effort after Sandy begin. Estimates at this point are saying that the superstorm could lead to the second highest bill for the program. Federal flood insurance claims will likely be second only to Katrina, as 115,000 have…

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PRESS RELEASE: Smartersafer.org Urges Congressional Supercommittee to Save Taxpayer Dollars by Reforming NFIP

Guest Author

WASHINGTON ‒ In a letter to Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), SmarterSafer.org urged the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to protect taxpayers and reduce inefficient federal spending by reforming the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Murray and Hensarling are co-chairs on the committee, which is charged with finding federal deficit reduction measures. “Our diverse coalition believes that Congress could protect taxpayers and reduce inefficient federal spending by reforming NFIP,” said SmarterSafer.org in the letter. “For over 40 years, the federal government, through NFIP, has provided…

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New York insurance chief holds insurers accountable for flood damage throughout the state

S.Vagus

New York’s insurance chief has issued a warning concerning insurance companies and Hurricane Irene. According to Benjamin Lawsky, Superintendent of Financial Services, some insurers are trying to avoid paying for damages caused by flooding spurred by the storm. Lawksy’s warning is not targeted at consumers but at the companies that are offering flood insurance. He says that no company should consider denying payments because the damage to homes and businesses are so clearly the result of flooding. Some insurance companies are seeking to enforce what they call “hurricane damage” deductibles.…

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Homeowners in the Lone Star State may want to reconsider flood insurance

S.Vagus

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is saying that Texas residents are not prepared for flooding in the state. According to federal officials, only 8% of Texans have flood insurance and, given the frequency of recent catastrophic events, that is not good enough. Most insurance policies do not cover flooding and homeowners will have to go through a third party to obtain appropriate coverage. “The most alarming thing we have found is the lack of people who have flood insurance,” says Philip Beasly, FEMA’s director of external affairs. FEMA is…

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A spring cleaning of America’s flood insurance program

Nordstrom

With spring now insight, it’s time to prepare for nasty weather. Depending on what part of the nation you live in, that could mean tornados and hail, or spring rains and flooding. This is a good time to examine your homeowner’s policy for any needed updates that may need to be made. Last year we had amazing weather activity. In the United States, we saw abundant rainfall; with many states receiving record amounts and other states getting well over normal. Snow and bitter cold temperatures set seasonal records, and numerous…

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