Insurance Professionals and Lenders
Insurance
professionals and lenders are an important part of the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP). Insurance professionals provide property owners with the opportunity
to purchase federal flood insurance. Federally-regulated lenders must require
flood insurance for any loan that has as collateral a structure located in
a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) in a participating NFIP community. This
has increased the number of flood insurance policies and helped reduce the
financial impact of flooding to the Federal government and taxpayers. There
are many sources of information available specifically for insurance
professionals and lenders
involved with the NFIP. The information below is a good source of general
information.
Documents and Regulations
Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA) www.fema.gov/fima
As part of FEMA's overall re-alignment, the Federal Insurance Administration
and the Mitigation Directorate were united to form the Federal Insurance and
Mitigation Administration (FIMA).
National Flood Insurance Program
Mandatory Purchase of
Flood Insurance Guidelines
Other FEMA Documents and Regulations
Other NFIP Reports, Newsletters and Bulletins
What's New
"Real Estate Agent
to the Rescue" Video
This video highlights a real estate agent whose proactive approach was
able to influence the homeowner’s decision to purchase flood insurance.
Flood Insurance Manual -- Effective October 1, 2003
What's New in Flood Hazard Mapping?
Forms
Standard Flood Hazard Determination Form
The Standard Flood Hazard
Determination Form (FEMA Form 81-93) has been renewed. The new effective
date of the form is October 2002 with an expiration date of October 31, 2005.
The only changes made to the form were minor revisions to the instructions.
Lenders are required to use this form when determining whether the improved
real property offered as collateral for security for any federally regulated
or insured loan, is or will be located in a special flood hazard area in which
flood insurance is available. The Standard Flood Hazard Determination Form
may be used in a printed, computerized or electronic manner.
Elevation Certificate
The Elevation Certificate is a form that records the elevation of the lowest
floor of a structure.
Order Maps
Map Service Center
The Map Service Center (MSC)
provides Flood Insurance Rate Maps indicating a community's flood hazard areas
and the designated flood zone and elevations, if applicable.
The FEMA Flood Map Store
Scanned maps, DFIRMs, Letters of Map Change, How-To guides and a host
of other products are now available on-line to view and download. Visit the
FEMA Flood Map Store to access the
latest products.
F-MIT Basic
An image viewer, called Flood Map Image Tool (F-MIT) Basic version 1.0, is
packaged with the scanned maps on CD-ROM. It allows customers to view, zoom
in and pan the image. In addition, F-MIT enables customers to create a "FIRMette"
- a section of the map at 100% scale that can be printed on standard paper
sizes. Download the free
viewer.
In addition, the MSC offers other flood related materials, Flood Insurance Study Reports, Digital Q3 flood data, Community Status Book, Flood Insurance Manual, Flood Map Status Information Service and Letters of Map Change.
FEMA-Sponsored Training
There are several upcoming workshops offered by the NFIP directed at lenders
and insurance professionals involved in the NFIP. These workshops are held
throughout the ten NFIP regions.
Upcoming Workshops for Lenders
Upcoming Workshops for
Insurance Agents
Sponsored Seminars for Write
Your Own (WYO) Companies
Insurance Agent Training
To better serve communities, the NFIP has designed online
tutorials to train and prepare flood insurance agents.
Top 10 Facts Every Lender and Insurance Professional Should Know About
NFIP
Lender Facts
Insurance Agent Facts
Contacts and Customer Service
NFIP Telephone Directory and Addresses
FEMA and NFIP Regional Offices
Flood Zone Determination Companies
List of Companies/Vendors Providing Flood Insurance Rating Software
Customer Service Hotline
FEMA has toll free telephone numbers that
give the user an opportunity to ask questions about FEMA and NFIP and order
literature.
Other Helpful Links
Compendium of Flood Map Charges
Flood Insurance Manual
The Flood Insurance Manual is used primarily by insurance companies and agents
writing National Flood Insurance.
National Flood
Insurance Program Description
This document provides an overview and history of the Program and covers it's
three aspects: floodplain identification and mapping; floodplain management;
and flood insurance.
Policy and Claim Statistics
Statistics are available by month, years, and State.
Resources for Lenders,
Servicers and Examiners
A list of resources, services, publications, and public awareness materials
to help lenders and loan servicers comply with the National Flood Insurance
Act. Federal financial institution examiners may also find these services
and materials useful.
Floods and Flash Floods
This fact sheet explains the difference between a flood and flash flood and
measures that can be taken before, during and after emergency situtations.
Flood Mitigation Actions
Checklist
Distribute this checklist of mitigation measures to clients to help them reduce
the loss or damage of property due to flooding.
"Multi-Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment"
Report
This colorful and informative report summarizes the many natural and technological
hazards facing the United States today.
Coastal Barrier Resources
System
Coastal barriers are unique landforms that provide protection for diverse
aquatic habitats and serve as the mainland's first line of defense against
the impacts of coastal storms and erosion.
Community Rating System
A NFIP program for recognizing and encouraging community floodplain management
activities that exceed the minimum NFIP standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Questions About the NFIP
Answers to Other Frequently Asked Questions
