Big I CT Advocacy Leads to Common-Sense Flood Insurance Awareness Reform
Big I Connecticut’s grassroots advocacy and government relations efforts have secured a practical and agent-friendly approach to raising flood insurance awareness with consumers.
Members of Big I CT successfully opposed a proposal that would have required applicants to provide written acknowledgment on a flood insurance disclosure and declination form.
After several rounds of negotiation with Governor Ned Lamont’s office, Insurance Commissioner Andrew Mais, and senior officials at the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID), a more practical solution was reached.
The revised language replaces the written acknowledgment mandate with a requirement for insurers to notify policyholders that:
- Their policy does not cover losses caused by flood,
- flood insurance is available through separate policies, and
- information is available on where and how to obtain flood insurance.
This common-sense compromise mirrors current practices already in use by many carriers and provides agents with a helpful resource for educating clients on homeowners and renters policy coverages.
At the request of Governor Lamont, the State Senate amended SB 9 to remove the original written acknowledgment provision and incorporate the revised language. The bill has since passed both chambers and awaits action by the Governor.
Big I Connecticut extends its thanks to members who acted by emailing their legislators through the Grassroots Action Center and participated in meetings with lawmakers and the CID. We are also grateful to Governor Lamont, Commissioner Mais, and their teams for engaging in open dialogue and working collaboratively to promote flood insurance awareness without adding unnecessary burdens on consumers and agents.
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