Hurricane Sandy

Guide to Making the Call on Elevating Your Property

A post-Sandy Q&A session helped answer some (but not all) questions about what will be required of shore property owners.

Recent public forums have helped answer questions about repairing and rebuilding after Superstorm Sandy. The question-and-answer sessions typically feature local residents, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives and representatives of the local insurance and real estate industries. Even the panelists usually acknowledged a fair amount of uncertainty about the full ramifications of the unprecedented level of damage for the region and the process for rebuilding and recovering costs. Here's our best shot at summarizing the considerations for property owners as they rebuild after the Oct. 29 storm. But because of the considerable amount of confusion surrounding the whole process, feel free to share information, questions …

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It's Official: Sandy Was No Hurricane

The National Weather Service designation affects deductibles on insurance claims and could save property owners money.

The National Weather Service has determined that the massive coastal storm that buried Ocean City under record floods on Oct. 29 was not a hurricane when it made landfall near the island. Staff writer Richard Degener reports in The Press of Atlantic City that meteorologists have determined that Category 1 Hurricane Sandy was a "post-tropical cyclone" by the time it reached the New Jersey coastline. The designation has an important impact on how insurance companies process claims for storm damage. __________ Read "Sandy's classification as 'post-tropical cyclone' saving homeowners thousands on hurricane deductibles ." __________  The storm caused $438 million in damage to public and private property in Ocean City, according to a preliminary…

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Middletown Releases Updates To Flood Insurance Discount Program

Standard policies in Zones A or V are eligible for the complete 10 percent discount. While residents in zones B, C, X, D, AR and A99 are eligible for a five percent discount.

Since the discount on renewing flood insurance policies was first announced, there have been further clarifications as to which residential zones can take advantage of the program All standard rate policies in zones A or V are eligible for the 10 percent discount. While standard rated flood insurance policies in zones B, C, X, D, AR and A99 are entitled to a five percent discount. Preferred risk policies, which are applicable in zones B, C and X are already discounted and are not eligible for further discount. The following categories are not eligible for CRS premium discounts, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency: This flood insurance discount is offered because of Middletown’s participation in FEMA’s Community Rating …

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Middletown Homeowners Can Save 10% On Flood Insurance

Middletown homeowners are eligible for a 10% discount on new or existing flood insurance policies.

Middletown homeowners interested in purchasing or renewing flood insurance policies are eligible for a 10 percent discount on their policies because of Middletown’s participation in FEMA’s Community Rating System.  “This rating equates to a 10 percent premium discount for renewals and new flood insurance policies applied for after May 1, 2012,” Mayor Anthony P. Fiore said. “I encourage homeowners to remind their insurance agents about the discount when it comes time to renew their policies.” The discount will be effective immediately, Fiore said. FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) provides discounts for flood insurance premiums within and outside the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA,) commonly known as the 100-year floodplain.  The …

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