Live Insurance News

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

August 28, 2020August 26, 2020 Marc

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…

The federal flood insurance program is broken and the repairs will be costly

January 7, 2019January 6, 2019 H. Cutner

NFIP is now fifty years old but the program has not undergone a healthy aging process. The subsidized federal flood insurance program is half a century old and is in dire need of fixes – or potentially a complete overhaul – that will, unfortunately, be unavoidably expensive. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has become increasingly costly and unsustainable. Federal flood insurance faced its second highest ever claim year in 2017. Hurricanes Florence, Harvey ad Michael placed the spotlight back onto the NFIP’s fundamental flaws. Insurance industry models show a…

House Republicans pass flood insurance bill to overhaul NFIP

November 16, 2017November 15, 2017 Nordstrom

Bipartisan opposition was overcome and the bill was passed to continue helping policyholders at risk of flooding. A controversial flood insurance bill has been passed in the House as Republicans overcame bipartisan opposition. This legislation will both reauthorize and overhaul the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The program is currently facing considerable strain following a highly active hurricane season. NFIP was forced to pay billions of dollars to policyholders this year after several hurricanes made landfall in the United States. The House passed the flood insurance bill in a vote…

Lawmakers seek to postpone reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program

April 11, 2016April 10, 2016 S.Vagus

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Congressmen aim to halt needed reforms in order to limit the growth of premiums Federal lawmakers are looking to make changes to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), but some are pushing to postpone much needed reforms. Representatives David Jolly and Gus Bilirakis have introduced a new measure that seeks to put reforms for the federal program on hold. NFIP is currently $23 billion in debt, with no practical way to repay this money. Congress has been working to resolve the program’s financial issues for some time, but proposed reforms…

Flood insurance premiums to grow in the US

April 8, 2016April 6, 2016 S.Vagus

Homeowners will face higher flood premiums as of April 1 Flood insurance premiums in the United States are set to spike on April 1. Those with coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will see higher rates as the program continues to recover from its massive $24 billion debt. Much of the debt came in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy. These two disasters caused significant financial damage, which NFIP has been unable to recover from despite action taken by Congress. Consumers believe higher rates may be…

Lawmakers work to bring reform to the National Flood Insurance Program

March 21, 2016March 20, 2016 S.Vagus

Lawmakers are fighting to change and improve NFIP Federal lawmakers are again attempting to introduce reforms to the country’s troubled National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Earlier this month, the House Financial Services Committee granted approval for the Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act. The legislation has won support from several lawmakers and is designed to mitigate the cost of flood protection. The legislation will also ensure that those seeking a mortgage for their property are treated the same when purchasing flood policies from the private market as they are…

Disasters place more attention on the National Flood Insurance Program

January 22, 2016January 20, 2016 Marc

Severe flooding has placed more focus on the federal flood insurance program Devastating floods in Missouri and Texas have highlighted, yet again, the problems that exist with the National Flood Insurance Program. In December, floods throughout the Midwest and Southwest caused several millions of dollars in property damage, as well as claiming more than 40 lives. The damage caused by these disasters has added to the financial strain that the National Flood Insurance Program is facing. The federal program is currently $23 billion in debt, with lawmakers failing to resolve…