§4011. Authorization to establish and carry out program
(a) Authorization and establishment
To carry out the purposes of this chapter, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is authorized to establish and carry out a national flood insurance program which will enable interested persons to purchase insurance against loss resulting from physical damage to or loss of real property or personal property related thereto arising from any flood occurring in the United States.
(b) Additional coverage for compliance with land use and control measures
The national flood insurance program established pursuant to subsection (a) shall enable the purchase of insurance to cover the cost of implementing measures that are consistent with land use and control measures established by the community under section 4102 of this title for-
(1) properties that are repetitive loss structures;
(2) properties that are substantially damaged structures;
(3) properties that have sustained flood damage on multiple occasions, if the Administrator determines that it is cost-effective and in the best interests of the National Flood Insurance Fund to require the implementation of such measures; and
(4) properties for which an offer of mitigation assistance is made under-
(A) section 4104c of this title (Flood Mitigation Assistance Program);
(B) the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program authorized under section 5170c of this title;
(C) the Predisaster Hazard Mitigation Program under section 5133 of this title; and
(D) any programs authorized or for which funds are appropriated to address any unmet needs or for which supplemental funds are made available.
The Administrator shall impose a surcharge on each insured of not more than $75 per policy to provide cost of compliance coverage in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.
(c) Participation and risk sharing by insurers
In carrying out the flood insurance program the Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable, encourage and arrange for-
(1) appropriate financial participation and risk sharing in the program by insurance companies and other insurers, and
(2) other appropriate participation, on other than a risk-sharing basis, by insurance companies and other insurers, insurance agents and brokers, and insurance adjustment organizations,
in accordance with the provisions of subchapter II.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original a reference to "this title" meaning title XIII of
Amendments
2012-Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B) to (E).
Subsec. (c).
2004-Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
1994-Subsecs. (b), (c).
1983-Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Effective Date
Section effective 120 days following Aug. 1, 1968, or such later date prescribed by the Secretary but in no event more than 180 days following Aug. 1, 1968, see section 1377 of
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1) of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.
Flood in Progress Determinations
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) the processes and procedures for determining that a flood event has commenced or is in progress for purposes of flood insurance coverage made available under the National Flood Insurance Program;
"(B) the processes and procedures for providing public notification that such a flood event has commenced or is in progress;
"(C) the processes and procedures regarding the timing of public notification of flood insurance requirements and availability; and
"(D) the effects and implications that weather conditions, including rainfall, snowfall, projected snowmelt, existing water levels, and other conditions, have on the determination that a flood event has commenced or is in progress.
"(2)
"(A) the results and conclusions of the review under paragraph (1); and
"(B) any actions taken, or proposed actions to be taken, by the Administrator to provide for more precise and technical processes and procedures for determining that a flood event has commenced or is in progress.
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) be deemed to take effect on the date that is 30 days after the date on which all obligations for the eligible coverage (including completion of the application and payment of any initial premiums owed) are satisfactorily completed; and
"(B) cover damage to property occurring after the effective date described in subparagraph (A) that resulted from the flooding of the Missouri River that commenced on June 1, 2011, if the property did not suffer damage or loss as a result of such flooding before the effective date described in subparagraph (A).
"(c)
[For definitions of terms used in section 100227 of
Congressional Findings
"(1) the national flood insurance program-
"(A) identifies the flood risk;
"(B) provides flood risk information to the public;
"(C) encourages State and local governments to make appropriate land use adjustments to constrict the development of land which is exposed to flood damage and minimize damage caused by flood losses; and
"(D) makes flood insurance available on a nationwide basis that would otherwise not be available, to accelerate recovery from floods, mitigate future losses, save lives, and reduce the personal and national costs of flood disasters;
"(2) the national flood insurance program insures approximately 4,400,000 policyholders;
"(3) approximately 48,000 properties currently insured under the program have experienced, within a 10-year period, 2 or more flood losses where each such loss exceeds the amount $1,000;
"(4) approximately 10,000 of these repetitive-loss properties have experienced either 2 or 3 losses that cumulatively exceed building value or 4 or more losses, each exceeding $1,000;
"(5) repetitive-loss properties constitute a significant drain on the resources of the national flood insurance program, costing about $200,000,000 annually;
"(6) repetitive-loss properties comprise approximately 1 percent of currently insured properties but are expected to account for 25 to 30 percent of claims losses;
"(7) the vast majority of repetitive-loss properties were built before local community implementation of floodplain management standards under the program and thus are eligible for subsidized flood insurance;
"(8) while some property owners take advantage of the program allowing subsidized flood insurance without requiring mitigation action, others are trapped in a vicious cycle of suffering flooding, then repairing flood damage, then suffering flooding, without the means to mitigate losses or move out of harm's way;
"(9) mitigation of repetitive-loss properties through buyouts, elevations, relocations, or flood-proofing will produce savings for policyholders under the program and for Federal taxpayers through reduced flood insurance losses and reduced Federal disaster assistance;
"(10) a strategy of making mitigation offers aimed at high-priority repetitive-loss properties and shifting more of the burden of recovery costs to property owners who choose to remain vulnerable to repetitive flood damage can encourage property owners to take appropriate actions that reduce loss of life and property damage and benefit the financial soundness of the program;
"(11) the method for addressing repetitive-loss properties should be flexible enough to take into consideration legitimate circumstances that may prevent an owner from taking a mitigation action; and
"(12) focusing the mitigation and buy-out of repetitive loss properties upon communities and property owners that choose to voluntarily participate in a mitigation and buy-out program will maximize the benefits of such a program, while minimizing any adverse impact on communities and property owners."
Miscellaneous Flood Insurance Provisions
"SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.
"In this title, the following definitions shall apply:
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"SEC. 202. SUPPLEMENTAL FORMS.
"(a)
"(1) the exact coverages being purchased by a policyholder;
"(2) any exclusions from coverage that apply to the coverages purchased;
"(3) an explanation, including illustrations, of how lost items and damages will be valued under the policy at the time of loss;
"(4) the number and dollar value of claims filed under a flood insurance policy over the life of the property, and the effect, under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.), of the filing of any further claims under a flood insurance policy with respect to that property; and
"(5) any other information that the Director determines will be helpful to policyholders in understanding flood insurance coverage.
"(b)
"(1) all holders of a flood insurance policy at the time of purchase and renewal; and
"(2) insurance companies and agents that are authorized to sell flood insurance policies.
"SEC. 203. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM.
"(a)
"(1) an acknowledgement that the purchaser has received a copy of the standard flood insurance policy, and any forms developed under section 202; and
"(2) an acknowledgement that the purchaser has been told that the contents of a property or dwelling are not covered under the terms of the standard flood insurance policy, and that the policyholder has the option to purchase additional coverage for such contents.
"(b)
"SEC. 204. FLOOD INSURANCE CLAIMS HANDBOOK.
"(a)
"(1) a description of the procedures to be followed to file a claim under the Program, including how to pursue a claim to completion;
"(2) how to file supplementary claims, proof of loss, and any other information relating to the filing of claims under the Program; and
"(3) detailed information regarding the appeals process established under section 205.
"(b)
"(1) each insurance company and agent authorized to sell flood insurance policies; and
"(2) each purchaser, at the time of purchase and renewal, of a flood insurance policy, and at the time of any flood loss sustained by such purchaser.
"SEC. 205. APPEAL OF DECISIONS RELATING TO FLOOD INSURANCE COVERAGE.
"Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act [June 30, 2004], the Director shall, by regulation, establish an appeals process through which holders of a flood insurance policy may appeal the decisions, with respect to claims, proofs of loss, and loss estimates relating to such flood insurance policy, of-
"(1) any insurance agent or adjuster, or insurance company; or
"(2) any employee or contractor of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
"SEC. 206. STUDY AND REPORT ON USE OF COST COMPLIANCE COVERAGE.
"Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [June 30, 2004], the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall submit to Congress a report that sets forth-
"(1) the use of cost of compliance coverage under section 1304(b) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4011(b)) in connection with flood insurance policies;
"(2) any barriers to policyholders using the funds provided by cost of compliance coverage under that section 1304(b) under a flood insurance policy, and recommendations to address those barriers; and
"(3) the steps that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has taken to ensure that funds paid for cost of compliance coverage under that section 1304(b) are being used to lessen the burdens on all homeowners and the Program.
"SEC. 207. MINIMUM TRAINING AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS.
"The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall, in cooperation with the insurance industry, State insurance regulators, and other interested parties-
"(1) establish minimum training and education requirements for all insurance agents who sell flood insurance policies; and
"(2) not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act [June 30, 2004], publish these requirements in the Federal Register, and inform insurance companies and agents of the requirements.
"SEC. 208. GAO STUDY AND REPORT.
"(a)
"(1) the adequacy of the scope of coverage provided under flood insurance policies in meeting the intended goal of Congress that flood victims be restored to their pre-flood conditions, and any recommendations to ensure that goal is being met;
"(2) the adequacy of payments to flood victims under flood insurance policies; and
"(3) the practices of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and insurance adjusters in estimating losses incurred during a flood, and how such practices affect the adequacy of payments to flood victims.
"(b)
"SEC. 209. PROSPECTIVE PAYMENT OF FLOOD INSURANCE PREMIUMS.
[Amended section 4015 of this title.]
"SEC. 210. REPORT ON CHANGES TO FEE SCHEDULE OR FEE PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS.
"Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act [June 30, 2004], the Director shall submit a report on any changes or modifications made to the fee schedule or fee payment arrangements between the Federal Emergency Management Agency and insurance adjusters who provide services with respect to flood insurance policies to-
"(1) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate; and
"(2) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives."
Flood Insurance Interagency Task Force
Section 561 of
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A) the Federal Insurance Administrator;
"(B) the Federal Housing Commissioner;
"(C) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
"(D) the Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration;
"(E) the Administrator of the Small Business Administration;
"(F) the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Farm Credit Administration;
"(G) a designee of the Financial Institutions Examination Council;
"(H) the Director of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight;
"(I) the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation; and
"(J) the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal National Mortgage Association.
"(2)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(A) the reasonableness of fees charged pursuant to 102(h) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 [42 U.S.C. 4012a(h)] for costs of determining whether the property securing a loan is located in an area having special flood hazards; and
"(B) whether the fees charged pursuant to such section by lenders and servicers are greater than the amounts paid by such lenders and servicers to persons actually conducting such determinations and the extent to which the fees exceed such amounts.
"(d)
"(e)
"(f)
"(g)
"(h)
"(i)
"(j)