PIA Decries Lapse in Flood Insurance Program

Hold On Unemployment, COBRA Extension By Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning Puts NFIP Into Technical Lapse

WASHINGTON, March 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) expressed disappointment that authorization for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was allowed to lapse after one United States Senator filibustered the legislation to which it was attached.

The flood program slipped into a technical lapse at midnight on February 28, 2010 after Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) blocked passage under unanimous consent of a bill to extend unemployment and COBRA benefits. The extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was attached to that bill.

"While this lapse in the flood insurance program will likely be corrected retroactively this week in the Senate, it is disappointing," said PIA National Director of Federal Affairs Mike Becker. "Insurance agents and their clients who need flood insurance are now at a disadvantage. Many real estate transactions require flood insurance, and the NFIP is the sole source for more than 95 percent of the flood coverage nationwide. We could see real estate closings delayed until this is fixed."

The Senate is expected to take up a bill extending various programs including the flood insurance program as early as late Monday, March 1.

Congress has been extending the flood insurance program for short intervals over the past two years. Efforts to enact comprehensive reforms to the NFIP have been stymied in recent years over two issues: proposals to add coverage for wind damage to the flood program and forgiving the nearly $20 billion debt amassed by the program as a result of catastrophic storms in 2004 and 2005. PIA opposes inclusion of wind coverage in the NFIP program and supports debt forgiveness.

As currently drafted, the latest extension of the flood insurance would be for just 30 days. PIA is recommending that the interim extension be for at least six months.

"These short extensions are insufficient to maintain certainty in the market," said Becker. "Congress has a lot on its plate at the moment and since lawmakers don't have time to conduct hearings on reforms to the flood program, the program should be extended for at least another six months so that hearings can be held in a sufficiently deliberative manner."

Becker added that any comprehensive flood insurance program reform bill should include a five-year authorization.

Founded in 1931, PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and their employees who sell and service all kinds of insurance, but specialize in coverage of automobiles, homes and businesses. PIA members are Local Agents Serving Main Street America ^SM. PIA's web address is www.pianet.com. 

This press release is online at: http://www.pianet.com/NewsCenter/PressReleases/3-1-10.htm

SOURCE National Association of Professional Insurance Agents