EATONTOWN, N.J. — September is National Preparedness Month, and the latter half of the year is an ideal time for people to review their insurance policies. Understanding the details of what specific policies cover and what the policyholder is responsible for after a disaster is important as both clients’ needs and insurance companies’ rules change.

Insurers’ decisions and legislative changes have the biggest effect on changes in policies. Consumers should make themselves aware of possible changes in these areas and know what to look for while reviewing their policies.

What’s Covered

The first check is the most obvious: the actual coverage. Policyholders should look at the specifics of which property is covered and the type of damage that is covered. Property owners should know that floods are not covered by standard insurance policies and that separate flood insurance is available. Flood insurance is required for homes and buildings located in federally designated high risk areas with federally backed mortgages, referred to as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). Residents of communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are automatically eligible to buy flood insurance. According to www.floodsmart.gov, mortgage lenders can also require property owners in moderate to low-risk areas to purchase flood insurance.

There are two types of flood insurance coverage: Building Property and Personal Property. Building Property covers the structure, electrical, plumbing, and heating and air conditioning systems. Personal Property, which is purchased separately, covers furniture, portable kitchen appliances, food freezers, laundry equipment, and service vehicles such as tractors.

What’s Not Covered

Policy exclusions describe coverage limits or how coverage can be purchased separately, if possible. Property owners should know that not only is flood insurance separate from property (homeowners) insurance, but that standard policies may not cover personal items damaged by flooding. In these cases, additional contents insurance can be purchased as an add-on at an additional cost. Some policies may include coverage, but set coverage limits that will pay only a percentage of the entire loss or a specific dollar amount.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Standard Flood Insurance Program (SFIP) “only covers direct physical loss to structures by flooding,” FEMA officials said. The SFIP has very specific definitions of what a flood is and what it considers flood damage. “Earth movement” caused by flooding, such as a landslide, sinkholes and destabilization of land, is not covered by SFIP.

Structures that are elevated must be built at least to the minimum Base Flood Elevation (BFE) standards as determined by the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). There may be coverage limitations regarding personal property in areas below the lowest elevated floor of an elevated building.

Cost Impact of Biggert-Waters

The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 extends and reforms the NFIP for five years by adjusting rate subsidies and premium rates. Approximately 20 percent of NFIP policies pay subsidized premiums, and the 5 percent of those policyholders with subsidized policies for non-primary residences and businesses will see a 25 percent annual increase immediately. A Reserve Fund assessment charge will be added to the 80 percent of policies that pay full-risk premiums. Un-elevated properties constructed in a SFHA before a community adopted its initial FIRMs will be affected most by rate changes.

In March 2014, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 and the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (HFIAA) of 2014 were signed into law, lowering rate increases on some policies, preventing rate increases on others, and delaying the implementation of Section 207 of Biggert-Waters, which was to ensure that certain properties’ flood insurance rates reflected their full risk after a mapping change or update. HFIAA also repeals a portion of Biggert-Waters that eliminated grandfathering properties into lower risk classes. Many of the changes have not yet been implemented because the necessary new programs and procedures have not been established.

Other Conditions

The General Conditions section informs the consumer and the insurer of their responsibilities, including fraud, policy cancellation, subrogation (in this case, the insurer’s right to claim damages caused by a third party) and payment plans. Policies also have a section that offers guidance on the steps to take when damage or loss occurs. It includes notifying the insurer as soon as practically possible, notifying the police (if appropriate or necessary) and taking steps to protect property from further damage.

“FEMA’s top priority is to provide assistance to those in need as quickly as possible, while also meeting our requirements under the law,” FEMA press secretary Dan Watson said. “To do this, FEMA works with its private sector, write-your-own insurance (WYO) company partners who sell flood insurance under their own names and are responsible for the adjustment of their policy holders’ claims.”

Policyholders should speak with their insurance agent or representative if they have any questions about coverage. For further information and direction, call the NFIP Call Center at 1-800-427-4661 or the NFIP Referral Center at 1-888-379-9531. Comprehensive information about NFIP, Biggert-Waters, HFIAA and flood insurance in general can be found at the official NFIP website, www.floodsmart.gov.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/FEMASandywww.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/fema, www.fema.gov/blog, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.”

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Review, Update Your Insurance Policies

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today released Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Middlesex and Monmouth Counties that reflect the latest refinements to the ongoing analysis of flood hazards. This release is the next step in the coastal Flood Insurance Study update. The Preliminary FIRMs replace the Preliminary Work Maps for Middlesex and Monmouth Counties that were released in June/July of 2013 as an interim product.

The new maps are extremely important as FEMA, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and Middlesex and Monmouth County communities continue to work in partnership to support resilient communities, and to avoid or reduce the loss of life and property, and the financial impacts of flooding. The Preliminary FIRMs reflect the same coastal flood risks as the Preliminary Work Maps and have now been updated to include riverine flooding.

The release of the Preliminary FIRMs indicates the first step in the official regulatory review process. The next step is a statutory 90-day appeal and comment period, which is expected to begin in Spring 2014.  Property owners and interested parties will have the opportunity to appeal the Preliminary FIRMs by submitting technical documentation to their local Floodplain Administrators during this period.  Once the appeal period is over, and all appeals are resolved, FEMA will issue a Letter of Final Determination (LFD) to the Middlesex and Monmouth County communities that initiates the six-month adoption period before the maps become effective.

Upon becoming effective, expected to occur in 2015, the new FIRMs will determine flood insurance rates. In the meantime, to promote higher standards for building performance and reduce potential future flood insurance costs, NJDEP and FEMA encourage Middlesex and Monmouth County communities to refer to the standards reflected in the Preliminary FIRMs for the construction of new and substantially improved structures.
For more information on flood risk mapping and insurance, visit www.region2coastal.com, www.msc.fema.gov, and www.floodsmart.gov.

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FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Middlesex and Monmouth Counties

DENVER – FEMA has an important message regarding filing a federal flood insurance claim.

An additional 21 days is added to the normal 60-day deadline to file your proof of loss flood claim with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

This extension applies to flood damage related to Colorado flooding occurring between Sept. 10, 2013 and Sept. 30, 2013.

If you sustained from the September flooding, you should file your NFIP claim now.  

  For any questions, visit your insurance agent.

Please also refer to floodsmart.gov for more information about flood insurance.

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Extension for Coloradans filing NFIP claims

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is announcing today that they are briefly delaying the issuance of the Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps for York and Cumberland Counties for the State of Maine that was planned for Monday, September 16, 2013. Over the past several years, FEMA has been working closely with state and local partners on these latest map revisions.  The reason for this brief delay is to allow time to ensure that FEMA has a viable engagement plan, given possible financial challenges associated with a new and uncertain fiscal year. FEMA remains committed to ensuring that all stakeholders are engaged appropriately, and anticipates providing a revised schedule by the end of September.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. 

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion1 www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema.  The social media links provided are for reference only.  FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency Announces Brief Delay in Release of Preliminary Flood Risk Maps for York and Cumberland Counties in the State…

TRENTON, N.J. — FEMA and the State of New Jersey will be holding an open house at the Mercer County Public Library in Lawrenceville on Wednesday, July 24, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide information and answer questions about the revised preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Insurance Study for Mercer County, New Jersey, which were released on May 30, 2013. The library is located at 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville. 

Residents will have the opportunity to view the maps at the open house or at the Lawrenceville Municipal Office.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog,www.twitter.com/fema,www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Originally posted here:  

Fema, New Jersey Show Maps At Mercer Open House

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today released Preliminary Work Maps for New York City that reflect the latest refinements to the ongoing analysis of coastal flood hazards. The release of the Preliminary Work Maps is the next step in the coastal Flood Insurance Study update. The Preliminary Work Maps replace the Advisory Base Flood Elevation Maps for New York City that were released earlier this year. Property owners should use these new maps to inform rebuilding and other ongoing construction.

The changes between the Advisory Base Flood Elevation Maps and the Preliminary Work Maps released today include a reduction in the area designated as a V-zone (area at risk of experiencing waves greater than 3 feet in height). The new maps are extremely important as FEMA and the City continue to work in partnership to support sustainable disaster resilient communities; and to avoid or reduce the loss of life, loss of property, and financial impacts of coastal flood hazards.

The Preliminary Work Maps are an interim step in the process of developing Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). The Preliminary Work Maps precede the Preliminary FIRMs, which upon becoming effective will determine flood insurance rates, though the risks reflected in the two sets of maps will be the same. The Preliminary FIRMs are estimated to become effective sometime in2015. The Preliminary Work Maps and the Preliminary FIRMs that follow will help property owners make decisions about how high to elevate their homes and businesses to reduce their flood risk and potential future flood insurance costs.

New York City’s housing recovery program, NYC Build It Back, will help homeowners impacted by Hurricane Sandy rebuild and meet the new elevation and freeboard standards to reduce their flood risk. Information on that program is available on www.nyc.gov.

As compared to the effective FIRMs for New York City, the Preliminary Work Maps show that the majority of areas will see increases in the floodplain and Base Flood Elevations (BFEs); however some areas may see decreases.  These changes are due primarily to more precise ground elevation data and more detailed analysis.

There is an indication that the overall size of the coastal high hazard area will increase in comparison to the effective FIRMs. Estimates indicate that about 2 percent of the New York City land area is subject to high velocity wave action, which is roughly twice the area shown on the current effective FIRMs.

FEMA encourages communities to use this information in instances where BFEs have increased and/or new Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) are shown on the Preliminary Work Maps. This will help community members make decisions to reduce their flood risk until the preliminary FIRMs become effective. Please visit www.Region2Coastal.com for more information on the Preliminary Work Maps.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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FEMA Releases Preliminary Work Maps for New York City

NEW YORK – People whose property was damaged or destroyed in Super Storm Sandy and are rebuilding can get advice from a FEMA specialist. Hazard Mitigation specialists who are knowledgeable in cleanup and building safer and smarter to avoid future losses will be dispensing guidance free of charge, compliments of FEMA.

FEMA will staff tables at Home Depot stores in Suffolk County at 10 Gateway Blvd, Patchogue; and in Richmond County at 545 Targee St, Staten Island; and at a Lowe’s in Nassau County at 253-01 Rockaway Blvd, Rosedale.

Beginning Thursday May 9 – Tuesday May 14:

  • Hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday and 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Advice and direction on the National Flood Insurance Program and Advisory Base Flood Elevation Maps, Flood Insurance Rate Maps, repair and rebuilding will be available to all, not just to customers who are registered with FEMA.

These specialists will be able to talk about elevating electrical services and appliances; installing sewer back-flow valves; removing and replacing drywall and insulation; channeling water away from foundations; repairing with water-resistant materials. They can also give guidance in the permitting process required by local authorities.

For every dollar spent on mitigation, FEMA officials say that nearly four times as much is saved when another disaster like Sandy hits.

More information on ways to protect your property from disasters to come is available at: www.fema.gov. Click on “Plan, Prepare and Mitigate.”

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FEMA Offers Rebuilding Advice at Area Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores

ATLANTA – Graham County, N.C. is now a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which means property owners in unincorporated areas of Graham County can purchase federally-underwritten flood insurance.

On March 21, 2013, Graham County was re-instated into the NFIP and is now among nearly 22,000 communities participating in the program nationwide.  The NFIP does more than make flood insurance available; it also supports local communities in their efforts to reduce the risk and consequences of serious flooding. In order to participate in the program, a community must agree to adopt and enforce sound floodplain management regulations and ordinances to reduce future flood damage. In exchange for these practices, flood insurance is available to homeowners, business owners and renters in participating communities.

Standard homeowner’s, business owner’s, and renter’s insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, so a separate flood insurance policy can provide property owners with financial protection against the devastating effects of flooding. Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S., so flood insurance is an important consideration for everyone.

Even if you don’t live in an area at high-risk of flooding, you should still consider flood insurance because anyone can be financially vulnerable to floods. In fact, about 25 percent of flood insurance claims occur in lower risk flood zones.

The NFIP is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency which works with nearly 90 private insurance companies to provide flood insurance to property owners and renters in NFIP-participating communities.  Flood insurance policies may be written by state-licensed property and casualty insurance agents.

For more information on the National Flood Insurance Program, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

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Graham County Makes Flood Insurance Available to its Residents and Property Owners

DENTON, Texas – Santa Fe County, New Mexico, homeowners, business and residential renters and business

owners who do not have flood insurance are encouraged to buy coverage now to get the best possible premiums

before new flood insurance rate maps go into effect. 

The new Santa Fe County flood maps become effective on Tuesday, Dec. 4, giving those who haven’t purchased

flood insurance yet, time to get the best possible premiums to protect their property from potential flooding.

“While many people are required by mortgage and lending companies to have flood insurance, FEMA and the

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) strongly recommend that everyone have flood insurance,” said Acting

Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “The reason is simple: You don’t have to be in a mapped floodplain to

flood.”

Current policy holders and those planning to purchase NFIP protection are strongly encouraged to contact their

insurance agent or company to ensure that they have adequate coverage for building and contents that accounts

for new flood risk data.

Those who purchase flood insurance prior to Dec. 4 may be able to grandfather the current flood zone, saving

money on flood insurance. For more information on estimated rates for flood insurance, whether you are eligible

for grandfathering and the Preferred Risk Policy extension, or to locate an agent in your area, visit

www.floodsmart.gov.

Anyone who hasn’t had a chance to participate in local flood insurance meetings or to review the new flood maps

is encouraged to contact their floodplain administrator who is most likely located at the County or City Offices.

• To view the preliminary maps online visit http://maps.riskmap6.com/NM/SantaFe/.
• To use the live chat service, visit http://go.usa.gov/r6C.  Click on the “Live Chat” icon.
• To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to

FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.                                                              

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to

build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate

all hazards. 

Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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New Flood Maps Show Current Risks in Santa Fe County, New Mexico

BATON ROUGE, La. — Most property owners whose homes or other structures were damaged during Hurricane Isaac have approaching deadlines for filing claims for their flood-related losses.

Most of these claims are due in the upcoming two weeks as the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requires them to be reported within 60 days from the date of loss. Hurricane Isaac made first landfall in Louisiana Aug. 28 with heavy rainfall and flooding occurring within several days before and after it hit.

NFIP is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Since Isaac made landfall, NFIP has paid out nearly $192 million on 9,736 claims in Louisiana.

“The flooding caused by Hurricane Isaac in many cases caused more damage than the wind,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “We are reminding Louisianians with NFIP policies that time is running out to get their claims filed with their agents or insurance companies.”

If policy holders have questions about flood insurance or concerns about their claims, they may call FEMA’s Hurricane Isaac Flood Insurance Call Center. The toll-free number is 1-866-331-1679. Help is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additional information is available at www.floodsmart.gov.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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Isaac-Related Flood Insurance Claims Have Upcoming Deadlines

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