FEMA: People Must Protect Themselves From Disasters
In a recent interview, Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Administrator Pete Gaynor said Americans
must assume more responsibility for
protecting themselves from the rising toll of natural disasters. Ahead of the
next hurricane season, Gaynor said the agency has made changes to better handle
increasingly severe storms, and Congress has given FEMA the ability to spend more
money preparing communities for disaster, which is more cost-effective than
rebuilding afterward.
However, Gaynor said those changes won't be enough, noting, "We cannot be
everything to everyone. This is a partnership." He added, "Our programs don't
make you whole, and that's probably one thing that we need to say more often. We
would like to be more direct with survivors about what their responsibility is."
According to Gaynor, state and local officials also need to do more, starting with
imposing tougher building codes.
The escalating threat from unstable weather means that more people should
carry flood insurance, Gaynor said. After Hurricane Harvey struck Houston in
August 2017, the average payout in emergency disaster assistance was about $4,000,
he said. But for people with flood insurance, the average was $130,000.
Congratulations to ULM Risk &
Management
Institute 2019 Spring Graduates!
On Saturday, May 11, 2019, fifteen RMI students graduated and joined us as
ULM RMI Alumni. Please join me in congratulating and welcoming our new RMI
alumni to the industry!
Here is a graduation announcement which includes each
new alum's post-graduation plans. If you're interested in learning more about
a particular graduate and/or the program in general, please contact the
PIA office.
PIA Submits Comments on Anti-Rebating
PIA National has submitted
comments on the issue of rebating and the current
anti-rebating language contained in the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners' (NAIC) Unfair Trade Practices Model Act (Model #880).
"…we are concerned that the model, which currently prohibits the giving of,
essentially, 'anything of value whatsoever not specified in the policy' to a
policyholder, is too restrictive," stated PIA National Counsel & Director of
Regulatory Affairs Lauren Pachman, Esq., in a letter to North Dakota Insurance
Commissioner and Chair of the NAIC Innovation and Technology (EX) Task Force
Jon Godfread.
PIA recommends that language be added "recognizing and permitting the
independent agent custom of offering, as a token of thanks, an inexpensive item,
such as a product featuring the agency logo, to policyholders periodically and
not necessarily concurrently with the signing or renewal of a policy."
Hartford Flood — May 17, 2 PM ET
The Hartford is dedicated to providing agents with
extraordinary customer service, especially when helping agents rollover their
flood book. The Hartford Flood program offers an easy enrollment process,
dedicated transfer specialist along with hands on service from your local
sales director, and special PIA preferred commissions.
The Hartford Flood program is available to PIA members and their policyholders
in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Register.
Other upcoming PIA webinars:
3 Ways to Synchronize Teamwork in Your
Agency — May 15 at 2 PM ET
Floodbroker.com — June 12 20 at 2 PM ET
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