National Flood Insurance Program problems remain despite recent extension

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NFIP continues to be riddled with challenges even as the White House pushed its expiry date. Last week, the White House signed a resolution to extend NFIP, but the National Flood Insurance Program problems are still there regardless. NFIP’s latest extension will keep it from expiring until September 30, 2021. Of course, giving it another year hasn’t made all the other National Flood Insurance Program problems disappear. Still, at least it has purchased another twelve months in which to protect those in high risk areas from having to go without…

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Many US homeowners are shocked at how high their flood risk score really is

Flood risk score - person shocked

Every American homeowner is finding out how much of a risk their property is truly facing. This month, every current and potential homeowner in the United States has access to the flood risk score of their property (or one they are considering for purchase). Many find themselves amazed at how high their property’s risk of flooding has been assessed to be. America’s flood risk score is being reassessed by First Street. This is a part of a broader effort to provide current homeowners and prospective home buyers, and the real…

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Live in a Flood Zone? Protect Yourself from Water Damage

flood insurance

Around 41 million Americans live in flood zones, according to a survey by Environmental Research Letters. If you’re one of those people, you’ve likely encountered water damage in one way or another.  Basements flooding, structural damage, and mold are all common after-effects of flood and water damage, made far more likely when living in a moist, flood-prone area. These factors don’t mean you have to pack up and move. With the right preparation and knowledge, dealing with flood damage doesn’t have to be scary.  Here are some actions you can…

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Severe weather damage in the US hits the $4 billion mark

Severe Weather Damage - Flooding

Hailstorms and other disasters have caused quite a bit of destruction already in 2020, says Aon. Severe weather damage from events across the United States have led to substantial costs for insurers. A sizeable portion of the $4 billion estimated economic cost is covered by insurance policies. Much or the severe weather damage caused by storms have involved hail, according to the monthly Global Catastrophe Recap report from Aon. A substantial storm outbreak struck the Plains, Midwest and Southeast on May 4 and 5. This event primarily affected parts of…

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Most residents of high-risk flood zones don’t have flooding insurance, analysis

High-risk flood zones - Flooding in neighborhood

A recent study has shown that an average of 6 in 10 affected homeowners aren’t covered. Severe weather events don’t plan to take a break just because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but a new analysis shows that 6 in 10 homeowners in high-risk flood zones don’t have insurance against overland water damage. The Atlantic hurricane season starts today, and severe flooding has already started in some areas. Central Michigan, for instance, has already been affected by considerable flooding in many regions. ValuePenguin.com recently published the results of an analysis it…

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FEMA announces 120-day NFIP grace period for flood policy renewals

NFIP grace period - Flood - homes

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is lengthening this time from having been 30 days. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced the extension of the NFIP grace period for flood insurance policy renewals to 120 days. The National Flood Insurance Program’s limit used to be thirty days. The reason the NFIP grace period length has changed is that FEMA is aiming to provide customers with relief at the moment. It acknowledges that many people are struggling with financial hardships from the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, the extension is meant to…

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NFIP improvement bipartisan flood insurance bill in the works in Louisiana

Bipartisan flood insurance bill - Hurricane Katrina New Orleans

In the wake of Hurricane Barry, state senators are working on a strategy to improve the flawed program. Hurricane Barry may not have been a worst case scenario in Louisiana, but the damage it left behind has driven senators to push harder for a bipartisan flood insurance bill overhaul. NFIP has been problematic for quite some time, but the senators are hoping to make it better. Despite some flooding and damage left behind by Barry, Senator Bill Cassidy pointed out that Louisiana could have fared much worse. The storm corrected…

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