Consumer advocates encourage president Obama to speak out on NFIP during State of the Union address

President Obama will be delivering the annual State of the Union address this week on the 24th of January. In the past, the president has used this occasion to highlight some of the major issues that have put the nation on edge. He has also outlined plans legislators have come up with to fix a number of these problems. This year, consumer advocates from SmarterSafer.org are urging the president to make a statement regarding the state of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Thousands of people get their flood insurance…

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Congress extends the life of NFIP, but no clear solution is yet in sight

Federal legislators rules late last week to extend the lifetime of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until May 31, 2012. The program had been scheduled to expire at midnight on December 23, which would have caused millions to lose their flood insurance. The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America has praised the extension granted to NFIP, though the program still suffers under the weight of massive debt that threatens its ultimate longevity. For now, the program is safe, but legislators still need to tackle the financial issues that…

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National Flood Insurance expiration delayed until January, legislators still slow to act

There seems to be no resolution in sight for the troubles plaguing the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The program, which provides thousands of homeowners with affordable flood insurance coverage, is scheduled to expire on December 18, but legislators have yet to make an attempt to fix what has been called by insurance professionals a broken system. NFIP has stood before Congress for several months now through a series of imminent expirations. Thus far, legislators have done little else beyond voting to extend the program for another month, but that…

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Some Lafayette parish residents will see a lower flood insurance rate

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that some of the residents of Lafayette Parish and its incorporated parts will see a drop in their flood insurance premiums by up to 10 percent. The reason for the savings is that the Lafayette Consolidated Government is now taking an active role in the Community Rating System for the National Flood Insurance Program. This means that business and homeowners, as well as renters in Lafayette city and the unincorporated areas of Lafayette Parish may qualify for a decrease of between five and…

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SmarterSafer.org Statement Urges Congress to Pass Permanent NFIP Reform as Hurricane

(Washington, DC) ‒ SmarterSafer.org today released a statement urging Congress to pass long-term, common-sense NFIP reform at the end of the 2011 Hurricane Season: “The 2011 hurricane season has come to an end, yet there are those who are still struggling from the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Communities across the United States have seen firsthand the need for a National Flood Insurance Program that protects lives and property while saving taxpayer dollars. The U.S. Congress has had several opportunities to pass permanent NFIP reform that has support in both the…

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