(Washington D.C., Thursday, May 7, 2020) – FEMA and its National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are taking steps to ease the financial burden for its flood insurance policyholders during the pandemic by extending the grace period to renew flood insurance premiums from 30 days to 120 days. This extension applies to NFIP flood insurance policies with an expiration date between February 13, and June 15, 2020.

Also, during this time, it is easier for NFIP policyholders, who may experience a flood, to quickly and safely start a claim and have damage inspection conducted remotely.

David Maurstad, senior executive of the National FIood Insurance Program, has information on how the program is helping flood insurance policyholders before hurricane season begins on June 1.

SOUNDBITE #1:

FOR MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS, THE NFIP HAS BEEN HELPING POLICYHOLDERS REBUILD STRONGER AFTER DISASTERS. DURING THIS COVID-NINETEEN PANDEMIC, WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO HELPING POLICYHOLDERS PROTECT THE LIFE THEY’VE BUILT. WE WANT TO ENSURE POLICYHOLDERS THAT THEY WON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A LAPSE IN COVERAGE DURING SPRING FLOODS OR INTO THE START OF HURRICANE SEASON. WITH THIS HUNDRED-TWENTY DAY RENEWAL EXTENSION, WE HOPE POLICYHOLDERS HAVE SOME PEACE OF MIND DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES.

SOUNDBITE #2:

FEMA’S TOP PRIORITY IS THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ITS NFIP POLICYHOLDERS, INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND OUR WORKFORCE. IF YOU HAVE A FLOOD, THE NFIP WILL CONDUCT A TIMELY FLOOD DAMAGE INSPECTION THROUGH A REMOTE ADJUSTING PROCESS. THIS HELPS KEEP POLICYHOLDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES SAFE UNDER STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS. ANY POLICYHOLDER WHO HAS EXPERIENCED A FLOOD, CAN START A CLAIM BY CALLING THEIR INSURANCE CARRIER OR SUBMITTING A CLAIM ON THE CARRIER’S WEBSITE.

For more information on the latest updates for policyholders or how to buy flood insurance, contact your insurance agent, visit FloodSmart.gov, or call 877-336-2627.