Northeast Engineers | Blog

Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act Signed Into Law

March 24th, 2014

Tropical Storm Erin 8-19-07

President Obama signed the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 into law on Friday, March 21th 2014.  This article by the Insurance Journal highlights the changes.  This is welcome news by many, particularly homeowners who’s flood insurance rates have skyrocketed and realtors who have seen a decline in coastal housing sales. The bill, among other things:

  • Reduces rate increases;
  • Prevents home sales from triggering the full rate risk;
  • Reinstates grandfathering for pre-FIRM properties; and
  • Attempts to minimize annual premiums to 1% of the coverage amount.

NE&C provides several resources and services for property owners, developers, and realtors impacted by the flood insurance program. Contact us for more information.

UPDATE: FEMA recently released an informative overview of the Act as well as this handy summary table.


Blog post written by Jason Gold, P.E.

Senate Approves Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act

March 14th, 2014

Tropical Storm Erin 8-19-07

Yesterday, March 13th 2014, the Senate approved the “Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act”.  The bill now moves on to the Whitehouse for the President’s authorization.  This article by the Insurance Journal highlights the changes.  This is welcome news by many, particularly homeowners who’s flood insurance rates have skyrocketed and realtors who have seen a decline in coastal housing sales.  The bill, among other things:

  • Reduces rate increases;
  • Prevents home sales from triggering the full rate risk;
  • Reinstates grandfathering for pre-FIRM properties; and
  • Attempts to minimize annual premiums to 1% of the coverage amount.

NE&C provides several resources and services for property owners, developers, and realtors impacted by the flood insurance program.  Contact us for more information.

Senate Passes Flood Insurance Bill

February 10th, 2014

The National Association of Realtors reports that the United States Senate voted 67-32 to approve the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (S. 1926), sponsored by Senators Menendez (D-NJ) and Isakson (R-GA) on Jan. 30, 2014.  The bill calls for a 4-year timeout on rate increases triggered either by a property’s sale or a flood map update for a property with previously grandfathered rates and creates a flood insurance advocate within FEMA to investigate home owner complaints of multiple different or excessive rate quotes.  The bill is now in the House.