The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has delivered a clear message to all licensed insurance producers: you are expected to provide guidance to flood victims, even if they have no insurance to cover their losses.

In a memo issued on September 22, 2011 by Jack Yanosky, Director of the Bureau of Licensing and Enforcement, the Department expressed disappointment that “in some instances” insurance producers have simply indicated that they “could not be of any service” to consumers lacking coverage.  Additionally, some consumers with flood insurance coverage have apparently been referred by their producers to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) with no other guidance provided.

According to Mr. Yanosky’s Memo, “this is not an appropriate response.”  Instead, the Department expects insurance professionals to “provide helpful information and direction when people are at their most vulnerable,” including advising them to visit local Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) and educating them regarding their coverage, making a claim and where to find information about other potential forms of assistance, including grant money.

A copy of the memo can be viewed here:  Memo to PA Producers

Additionally, the Insurance Department has established an online Disaster Recovery Guide, which can be found at the following link:

http://www.pa.gov/portal/server.pt/community/flood_recovery/20465