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. Un-elevated properties constructed in a SFHA before a community adopted its initial FIRMs will be affected most by rate changes. A Reserve Fund assessment charge will be added to the 80 percent of policies that pay full-risk premiums. 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. The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 extends and reforms the NFIP for five years by adjusting rate subsidies and premium rates. There may be coverage limitations regarding personal property in areas below the lowest elevated floor of an elevated building. 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). “Earth movement” caused by flooding, such as a landslide, sinkholes and destabilization of land, is not covered by SFIP. The SFIP has very specific definitions of what a flood is and what it considers flood damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Standard Flood Insurance Program (SFIP) “only covers direct physical loss to structures by flooding,” FEMA officials said. Some policies may include coverage, but set coverage limits that will pay only a percentage of the entire loss or a specific dollar amount. In these cases, additional contents insurance can be purchased as an add-on at an additional cost. 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. Policy exclusions describe coverage limits or how coverage can be purchased separately, if possible. Personal Property, which is purchased separately, covers furniture, portable kitchen appliances, food freezers, laundry equipment, and service vehicles such as tractors. Building Property covers the structure, electrical, plumbing, and heating and air conditioning systems. There are two types of flood insurance coverage: Building Property and Personal Property. According to , mortgage lenders can also require property owners in moderate to low-risk areas to purchase flood insurance. Residents of communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are automatically eligible to buy flood insurance. 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). Property owners should know that floods are not covered by standard insurance policies and that separate flood insurance is available. Policyholders should look at the specifics of which property is covered and the type of damage that is covered. The first check is the most obvious: the actual coverage. Consumers should make themselves aware of possible changes in these areas and know what to look for while reviewing their policies. Insurers’ decisions and legislative changes have the biggest effect on changes in 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. The drawings have been updated to provide additional clarity regarding base flood elevation levels and the landing location.Īttached is the link to FirstEnergy website to view the entire document: ĮATONTOWN, 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. Please review the documents below for detailed drawings of meter installation requirements and meter landings. The following is a revision to DCA Guidance on Electrical Meter Placement in a Designated Flood Zone.
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