Federal Emergency Management Agency October 18, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on a proposed revision of a currently approved information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning revision of the National Flood Insurance Claims Appeals Process. The appeal process establishes a formal mechanism to allow policyholders to appeal the decisions of any insurance agent, adjuster, insurance company, or any FEMA employee or contractor, in cases or unsatisfactory decisions on claims, proof of loss, and loss estimates. Under this process, FEMA sends the NFIP Flood Insurance Claims Handbook to the policyholder (upon completion of signed policy), which explains to them the appeals process. If the policyholder wishes to appeal a claims decision, that policyholder may appeal it to FEMA. FEMA will acknowledge receipt of a policyholder's appeal in writing and advise such policyholder if additional information is required in order to fully consider the appeal. FEMA will review the documentation submitted by the policyholder, conduct any necessary additional investigation, and advise, both the policyholder and the appropriate flood insurance carrier, of its decision regarding the appeal.