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Senator Cassidy Takes a Stand to Protect Flood Insurance
Hurricane Helene and other recent storms of similar and greater strength, like Hurricane Francis, brought destruction across much of the Southeast. Our state saw an unprecedented amount of devastation from Hurricane Helene, for which, unfortunately, many North Carolinians were unprepared. This serves as a reminder that flood insurance is particularly critical across hurricane-prone areas. As such, insurance access and pricing are pressing issues that residents of these areas are struggling with now more than ever.
Thankfully, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) is acting to help address this problem. By taking the lead on reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Cassidy is standing up for America’s families who rely on access to affordable flood insurance to avoid facing financial ruin at the hands of an unavoidable natural disaster.
The NFIP provides flood insurance to over five million businesses, property owners, and renters across the United States. It is the largest single-line insurance program in the country and provides $1.3 trillion in coverage. Needless to say, this program serves as a vital lifeline of much-needed flood insurance for those who may not otherwise have access, given that lack of affordability may cause would-be policyholders to take on excessive risk to avoid exorbitant premium fees. The NFIP has been extremely impactful in Cassidy’s home state of Louisiana, where it has paid 358,842 claims totaling over $20.6 million, and even in our state, North Carolina, where it has paid 78,218 claims worth a total of $1.98 million.
Cassidy’s reauthorization bill is particularly necessary in the face of the new rating methodology Risk Rating 2.0. This program worsens all existing issues relating to flood insurance, causing premium spikes that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects will lead to approximately 900,000 people pulling out of NFIP by 2033. The bill’s proposed reauthorization plan would cap annual premium increases at 9%, ensuring that runaway insurance costs do not stand between Americans and their homes, businesses, and communities that may be destroyed in flooding.
Despite being introduced last year, this law has yet to pass the U.S. Senate. Lawmakers should recognize that this commonsense legislation would help families and businesses access and afford flood insurance. In the wake of a life-altering natural disaster, the last thing any American should need to worry about is facing financial ruin.
The catastrophes across the nation following recent hurricanes serve as tragic reminders of the necessity of affordable, accessible flood insurance. Thankfully, Senator Cassidy is working across the aisle to pass this vital law that will ensure all Americans have one less thing to worry about in future hurricane seasons.
By Dee Stewart
