As a result of the recent winter storms and frigid temperatures, I am reaching out to help you prepare for potential claims regarding ice damming.

The Allstate Claims Process

Should an ice damming claim occur we will be available to assist them at every step. As a reminder, affected policyholders may report their claim as using any of the three options: through my agency, on their own or by phone.

To report a claim:
1. Go to www.allstate.com OR
2. Call 1-800-ALLSTATE
3. Call my agency (however, filing online or on the phone will be effective immediately and is more efficient due to the specific questions they will need to ask to handle your claim properly).

About the Claims Experience
The length of time it takes to complete the claims process depends on several factors. Visit this Web page http://www.allstate.com/claims/claim-handling-process.aspx for other information about the claim process.

Please see below for information around ice damming that may be helpful to you.

What is ice damming?
Ice and snow build-up on a roof is an unprepared homeowner’s nightmare when heat from a roof covered with at least eight inches of snow melts, leaving the remaining liquid to seep into shingles and tiles. Ice dams can be lumps of ice that form on gutters, eaves and valleys, and prevent melting snow from running down. As the snow melts, the water backs up and seeps under shingles or tiles and eventually into your home.

Preventing ice dams can be as simple as mounting proper insulation and avoiding improper removal of ice and snow. Take a look at these other tips to help minimize ice dam formation on your roof and protect your home from winter damage:

Keep gutters and downspout clear of leaves and natural debris;
Identify areas of heat loss in your attic and properly insulate them to prevent heat from escaping;
Minimize heat loss through the attic by wrapping or insulating all heating ductwork;
Avoid using sharp tools or ice picks on gutters or downspouts, which can damage roofs. Use a snow rake or soft broom to clear fresh snowfall from gutters;
Contact a professional snow removal company to clear existing ice dams; and
Protect yourself by avoiding falling icicles or avalanching snow. Avoid getting on the roof and working on a ladder or beneath a roof that has accumulated large amount of snow.

Other helpful tips may be found by clicking on this link to the Insurance Information Institue website.

Legislation Introduced To Phase Out NFIP
Share | February 8, 2011
By Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com

The legislation to phase out the National Flood Insurance Program, H.R. 435, was introduced by Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich. (File Photo: AP)
NU Online News Service, Feb. 8, 3:10 p.m. EST

WASHINGTON—Legislation has been introduced in Congress that would phase out the National Flood Insurance Program by the end of 2013.

The legislation, H.R. 435, was introduced by Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich.

The bill would also immediately end all remapping of the program mandated by prior reauthorizations of the program, thereby ending the agency’s authority to charge more to current customers based on new maps mandated by the 2003 law that remains in effect.

Earlier this month, Rep. Miller had asked colleagues to support the measure.

That Congress may take a long look at the program was also acknowledged earlier this week by Rep. Scott Garrett, R-N.J., chairman of the Capital Markets Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee, which has prime jurisdiction over the program.

During an appearance at a housing conference Monday, Rep. Garrett said, “The government’s history in pricing risk is extremely poor,” citing the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Flood Insurance Program, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. as three entities with “terrible records of properly pricing for risk.”

The current program expires Sept. 30, the end of the current fiscal year. The program has been extended five times, with several lapses, since the original reauthorization of the current program ended Sept. 30, 2008.

Charles Symington, senior vice president of government affairs for the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA), said that extension of the NFIP will be a top priority of the association this year.

“Much like the past two years, we don’t expect getting the program reauthorized will be easy,” Mr. Symington said. “However, the program is absolutely essential to ensure that consumers obtain the coverage for flood loss that they need,” he added.

He acknowledged that “it has been tough the last two years to get extensions, and you can put on top of that the focus on reducing the federal government, on budget-cutting; it just makes the job more difficult.”

But, he said, “We think we can get it done. We think we have a persuasive case to make. But, it won’t be an easy lift.”

He said that while the IIABA would like to see additional reforms to the program, the top priority is getting the program extended. “But, it will take an effort on behalf of agents, Realtors, mortgage bankers, banks, etc.” Mr. Symington added.

About the Author
Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com

Arthur D. Postal is Washington Bureau Chief for National Underwriter, P&C Magazine. He also contributes legislative and regulatory news to PropertyCasualty360.com. He may be reached at apostal@sbmedia.com.

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Financial security is the number one predictor of whether a domestic violence victim will get free and stay free from abuse. Help the YWCA earn $75,000 from The Allstate Foundation to support economic empowerment for domestic violence survivors.

The Allstate Foundation, Allstate Insurance, is donating $1 to the YWCA for every tweet that includes #Tweet4YWCA. Tweet as many times as you can from July 7- 16. The Allstate Foundation chose YWCA to participate in this campaign because they support The Allstate Foundation’s work to bring economic empowerment services to domestic violence survivors. YWCA has a long history of supporting domestic violence and economic empowerment programs in local communities.

Last year, YWCA also narrowly missed winning the Click to Empower grand prize in the Foundation’s digital campaign. With the downturn in the economy affecting more and more survivors, the life-saving services provided by YWCA and The Allstate Foundation have become increasingly important– so get ready to #Tweet4YWCA! What you can do to help? Tweet, retweet, and tweet some more! Every #Tweet4YWCA earns one more dollar toward the $75,000 goal.

How can I help?

Use newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, websites and other tools to encourage your networks to visit www.ClickToEmpower.org and #Tweet4YWCA Post a #Tweet4YWCA button or banner on your website and Facebook page (visit www.ClickToEmpower.org to download) Add the #Tweet4YWCA graphic to your email signature.