Archive for the ‘Flood Insurance’ Category

1.  Prepare an Emergency kit-
   Of the utmost importance is a flashlight, extra batteries, and bottled water.
   Follow the link for a sample emergency kit- 
   www.nyredcross.org/?nd=hurricane_safety_guide
2. Put away or secure outdoor furniture-
   Secure anything that could become a projectile in heavy winds- including garbage cans. 
3. Clear debris from gutters.
4. Trim dead tree branches that could fall during the storm.
5. Anchor heavy objects that may float away such as fuel tanks.
6. Avoid driving in storm conditions-
   If you must drive, avoid flooded streets, fallen wires and falling trees.
7. Stay informed of weather conditions- tune into the following websites
   www.nhc.noaa.gov or www.weather.com for current conditions.

Despite the forecasted weather, we wish you all a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend.

 Your Friends at Mackoul & Associates

* Please note that our offices will close at 1pm tomorrow in observance of the holiday.

On Thursday, April 15th, Congress voted to restore jobless benefits for hundreds of thousands of Americans who had lost them during a partisan standoff in the Senate over spending (Insurance Journal).

This bill also reauthorizes the federal flood insurance program until the end of May and restores federal COBRA health insurance subsidies.

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2010/04/15/109055.htm

http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/flood-insurance-program-is-back-for-now/

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is currently on schedule to expire on March 28th, 2010.  The Senate has already voted to extend the NFIP until the end of the year, while the House has agreed to extend it just one more month, until the end of April 2010.  The Senate, who has been preoccupied with Health Care Legislation, must vote to adopt the House measure or the NFIP will expire Sunday night. 

We will keep you posted with any updates, but if you have any questions we are always here to help.

Please call with any questions: Edward J. Mackoul, CIC President- Mackoul & Associates, Inc. ejmackoul@mackoul.com Toll Free: (866) Mackoul

We are pleased to announce that the National Flood Insurance Program has been extended to March 28, 2010.   The bill that was passed by Congress and signed by President Obama does not include retroactivity to March 1, 2010. 

This short term statutory authorization will allow us to resume issuing flood insurance policies but it did not include specific language that would make the extension retroactive to March 1, 2010 at 12:01 am.

We will include more updates on longer term NFIP reauthorization prior to the expiration on March 28, 2010 as soon possible.

Don’t hesitate to call our offices if you have any questions at (866) Mackoul.
Thank you.

Mackoul & Associates, Inc.

Read the full article here: http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2010/03/03/107849.htm

Statutory authority to issue flood insurance policies pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) expired on February 28th, 2010.  According to Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, measures are expected to pass sometime this week extending the NFIP until March 28, 2010.  However, Congress has yet to pass the short term reauthorization of the NFIP and President Obama has yet to sign the bill.

Main Point- The NFIP will not be able to issue new or renewal flood policies, change coverage or pay claims until Congress reapproves reauthorization.  They recommend that companies writing flood insurance hold any premiums, renewals or added coverage endorsements received on or after Feb. 28th.

Read Full Article
National Flood Insurance Program Website
FEMA Website