Flood Insurance Committee

Co-Chairs
Liaison
Paul Osman, CFMIllinois DNROne Natural Resources WaySpringfield, IL 62702217-782-4428 / Fax: 785-5014paul.osman@illinois.gov
Bruce BenderBender Consulting Services8374 E. Cheryl Dr.Scottsdale, AZ 85258480-368-1223 / Fax: 315-9236babender@cox.net
Lou Sidell, CFM
persevere@roadrunner.com



Purpose
Mission Statement: To support the ASFPM抯 floodplain management efforts through information, education, and outreach activities on flood insurance issues.
2007 - 2008 Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Continue to monitor modifications and improvements to the insurance aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program, both from FEMA and Congress.
Objective: Follow status of rule making and prepare review comments, as appropriate, to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.Objective: Keep Board of Directors and membership appraised of significant flood insurance issues, including repetitive loss, subsidy reduction, Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC), and changes in WYO Expense Allowance.Objective: Follow status of bills in Congress and keep Board of Directors and membership appraised of possible effects the proposed changes may have on the Program and any related significant insurance issues.
Goal 2: Continue liaison activities with the Flood Insurance Producers National Committee (FIPNC) and Federal Insurance Administration (FIA) and other flood insurance interest groups.
Objective: Participate in FIPNC meetings and offer ASFPM’s views and recommendations. Objective: Participate in the Annual National Flood Conference.Objective: Initiate dialog with the National Flood Determination Association and work towards identifying mutual goals and objectives.Objective: Promote No Adverse Impact where possible when performing liaison duties.
Goal 3: Work with FEMA on issues affecting flood insurance including insurance aspects of the Community Rating System and Flood Map Modernization.
Objective: Monitor and provide input on FIA’s insurance, marketing, simplification, and lender compliance efforts and offer ASFPM’s views and recommendations.Objective: Monitor and provide input regarding the effects of different FEMA programs (i.e. Flood Map Modernization) on insurance and offer ASFPM’s views and recommendations.
Goal 4: Provide flood insurance related information and assistance to members.
Objective: Respond to member requests for flood insurance information and statistical data.
Goal 5: Provide information and guidance to members on FEMA’s revised forms such as the Elevation Certificate and Flood Hazard Determination Form
Objective: Develop a one or two page bulletin regarding frequently asked questions with answers and/or article in ASFPM publications related to new forms or changes in existing ones.
2006-2007 Status Report
2006 – 2007 MAJOR ACTIVITIESThe following is a chronological summary of major activities the Insurance Committee participated in during the past year:
July
National Insurance Representatives work group meeting in DC
Meetings with key House and Senate staff on NFIP Reform
NFIP Reform legislation comments provided to key leg. Staff
NFIP Reform comments provided to House Banking Committee
Institute of Business and Home Safety (IBHS) Executive Flood Committee Meeting in DC
Reviewed the Insurance Section of the National Flood Programs and Policies in Review - 2007 - Draft
August
Comments provided to Senator Obama’s office on NFIP Reform
Flood Insurance Producers National Council (FIPNC) Meeting in DC
September
Sent out correspondence to ASFPM Members about new NFIP Claims Handbook
October
IBHS Executive Flood Committee Meeting in DC
ASFPM Committee Retreat in Newport, RI
Presentation at New Jersey Flood Conference
FIPNC Meeting in DC
November
Presentation at State Farm Corporate HQ – CPCU Conference
Sent out two correspondences to ASFPM members about the new Elevation Certificate requirements taking effect and about the planned May ’07 changes in the flood insurance program
December
Rested
January
National Insurance Representatives work group meeting in DC
Sent out correspondence to ASFPM members about the new Severe Repetitive Loss Program related to the Special Direct Facility (SDF) and about an updated claims guide.
February
FIPNC Meeting in DC
March
Discussions with Rep. Biggert’s office regarding co-sponsorship of NFIP Legislation
ASFPM Pod Call with FEMA
IBHS Executive Flood Committee Meeting in DC
May
National Insurance Representatives work group meeting in DC
National Flood Conference in Denver
FIPNC Meeting in Denver
2006 -2007 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES - STATUS
Goal 1: Continue to monitor modifications and improvements to the insurance aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program, both from FEMA and Congress.
Objective: Follow status of rule making and prepare review comments, as appropriate, to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.Objective: Keep Board of Directors and membership appraised of significant flood insurance issues, including repetitive loss, subsidy reduction, Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC), and changes in WYO Expense Allowance.Objective: Follow status of bills in Congress and keep Board of Directors and membership appraised of possible effects the proposed changes may have on the Program and any related significant insurance issues.
Status: The Committee actively followed the status of the different bills and provided continual input to legislators, the ASFPM Board, and other colleagues. In addition, the Committee monitored the Federal Register and NFIP Bulletins for issues that may be pertinent to the ASFPM, especially from an insurance perspective. The Committee generated several bulletins for the ASFPM members as described above.
Goal 2: Continue liaison activities with the Flood Insurance Producers National Committee (FIPNC) and Federal Insurance Administration (FIA) and other flood insurance interest groups.
Objective: Participate in FIPNC meetings and offer ASFPM’s views and recommendations. Objective: Participate in the Annual National Flood Conference.Objective: Initiate dialog with the National Flood Determination Association and work towards identifying mutual goals and objectives.Objective: Promote No Adverse Impact where possible when performing liaison duties.
Status: Committee members attended the FIPNC and IBHS meetings to stay in-tune with their respective issues as well as share ASFPM’s views. The NFDA was invited to attend the Insurance work group meetings that were held in D.C. to help identify common areas of thinking regarding the NFIP.
Goal 3: Work with FEMA on issues affecting flood insurance including insurance aspects of the Community Rating System and Flood Map Modernization.
Objective: Monitor and provide input on FIA’s insurance, marketing, simplification, and lender compliance efforts and offer ASFPM’s views and recommendations.Objective: Monitor and provide input regarding the effects of different FEMA programs (i.e. Flood Map Modernization) on insurance and offer ASFPM’s views and recommendations.
Status: Through the different meetings that the Committee has attended as well as related correspondences and the March Pod call, the committee has been providing input. Committee members have briefed Mapping Committee members on those aspects of the NFIP Reform bills which will impact map modernization. Committee members continue to coordinate closely with members of the CRS Task Force.
Goal 4: Provide flood insurance related information and assistance to members.
Objective: Respond to member requests for flood insurance information and statistical data.
Status: When general emails or questions are forwarded, Insurance Committee members have provided timely and accurate responses. The Committee continues to improve the ASFPM Insurance Committee webpage with updated and current information. Though the Committee does not get a large volume of calls (and nor are they looking for that), the diversity of the Committee has allowed for most questions to be answered.
Goal 5: Provide information and guidance to members on FEMA’s revised forms such as the Elevation Certificate and Flood Hazard Determination Form
Objective: Develop a one or two page bulletin regarding frequently asked questions with answers and/or article in ASFPM publications related to new forms or changes in existing ones.
Status: Four bulletins were issued that discussed the elevation certificate, Severe Repetitive Loss (from the insurance side), claims handbook and May 2007 changes to the NFIP flood insurance program.
Committee Meeting Minutes and Associated Documents
June 12, 2006 MinutesJune 12, 2006 Attendees (.xls)
ICC Interim Final Rule List of Items - 4/19/2006CRS Spring, 2006 Update
Committee Correspondence
Letter to State Floodplain Managers on FEMA Bulletin on Sever Rep Loss Properties and New Claims Guide 1/07Letter to State Floodplain Managers on Clarification of Photo Requirements for New Elevation Certificate 11/06Letter to State Floodplain Managers on FEMA Bulletin on Planned Rate Changes for May, 2007 11/06Letter to State Floodplain Managers on NFIP Flood Insurance Claims Handbook 9/06
Letter to FEMA Regarding Elevation Certificate Changes 3/06Letter to Members Regarding Elevation Certificate Changes 10/05
Memo to Members Regarding Insurance Agent Training 10/05Letter to FEMA Regarding Insurance Agent Training 10/05FEMA Response Letter to ASFPM Regarding Insurance Agent Training 11/05
Flood Insurance Producers National Committee Minutes
October 30, 2006May 9, 2006May 5, 2006November 11, 2005 November 7, 2005 August 15, 2005
Insitute of Business and Home Safety Flood Executive Committee Minutes
November, 2006July, 2006March, 2006October, 2005
Links
FEMA's NFIP Insurance Claims Handbook (.pdf) 11/06
Managing Large-Scale Risks in a New Era of CatastrophesManaging Large-Scale Risks in a New Era of Catastrophes (The Full Report) .pdfManaging Large-Scale Risks in a New Era of Catastrophes (Executive Summary) .pdf


Committee Information
2007-2008 Goals & Objectives
2006-2007 Status Report
2007-2008 Status Report
Meeting Minutes and Associated Documents
Committee Correspondence