NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE: Insurance Commissioner Causey encourages North Carolinians to prepare as hurricane season approaches

By Press release submission

Jul 25, 2020

North Carolina Department of Insurance issued the following announcement on July 20.

With the 2020 hurricane season in full swing, North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey urges all North Carolinians to prepare for the potential of extreme weather during the coming months.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to Nov. 30. Weather experts predict an above normal hurricane season for 2020.

“One of your top priorities should be to ensure you have the appropriate insurance coverage for the dangerous storms that could wipe out our homes and possessions in a flash,” said Commissioner Causey. “It takes 30 days for a flood policy to take effect, so now is the time to contact your agent to see if you have the right coverage.”

Preparation before a storm is key. Residents should take inventory and document what they own. This will help insurance companies examine potential losses and assure proper coverage. In addition, individuals and families should have a storm-readiness plan in place. Families should discuss the plan so everyone knows how to respond once a storm hits.

Residents should also be aware of the following:

Most homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies do not cover damage from floods, although most mobile homeowners’ and comprehensive auto policies do.
A landlord’s insurance policy likely won’t cover damage to a renter’s personal property.
The National Flood Insurance Program takes 30 days to take effect. Waiting to take out a flood policy once a storm or hurricane is in motion will be too late.
Just because there’s no longer a mortgage on a home does not nullify the need for homeowners’ insurance.

North Carolina residents now have greater flood coverage options than ever before. Commissioner Causey recently approved a statewide flood insurance program that participating companies can now offer to residents living anywhere in the state. The program is separate from the National Flood Insurance Program. Commissioner Causey hopes to eventually see all North Carolinians protected in the event of a flood or mudslide.

To educate consumers, insurance and real estate agents as well as adjusters, Commissioner Causey has set up free flood insurance conferences. Insurance agents, real estate agents, and adjusters can receive four hours of continuing education credits by attending one of these conferences.

Due to COVID-19, our remaining in-person flood conferences have changed to WebEx Online Events.

In order to be awarded four hours of continuing education credit, registration will be required on the NCDOI webpage and through the WebEx invitation. Therefore,

Please register on the NCDOI Webpage through the links below.
A WebEx Invitation will be sent, separately.
1. To participate in the event, you must pre-register with WebEx, as well.
2. Upon registering with WebEx, registered participants will receive details on how to join the flood conference from WebEx.

WebEx Event dates and times are:

Thursday, Aug. 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Now a WebEx Event

To register: click here by Aug. 20.

Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Now a WebEx Event

To register: click here by Sept. 2.

Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Now a WebEx Event

To register: click here by Sept. 30.

For more information, contact Tracy Biehn with N.C. Department of Insurance by email at Tracy.Biehn@ncdoi.gov.

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