Flood Insurance Adjuster Certification Training Being Offered for New York Adjusters on July 17

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ALBANY, N.Y., June 27 -- The New York State Department of Financial Services issued the following news release:

Benjamin M. Lawsky, Superintendent of Financial Services, today announced that training will be offered next month for property/casualty insurance adjusters who want to seek or maintain certification so they can conduct adjuster services for claims filed under National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies.

The training will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 17 at the offices of the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management, 510 Grumman Rd. West, in Bethpage, NY 11714.

Completing the seven hour training session allows eligible property/casualty adjusters to apply for the NIFP certification. Adjusters who are already certified are required to complete the training annually to maintain their certification.

The NFIP certification allows adjusters to file claims for property owners covered by policies sold through insurance companies participating in NFIP's "Write Your Own" (WYO) flood insurance program.

"It is essential that New York is prepared so we can respond even more quickly the next time flooding causes serious property damage. I encourage all insurers in the WYO program to make sure their adjusters are certified. Independent adjusters should also seek certification," Superintendent Lawsky said.

"This training is important because it covers the distinct characteristics of NFIP coverage and the requirements for adjusting losses under standard flood insurance policies," said James Sadler, Director of Claims for NFIP, which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Senator James L. Seward, Chair of the Senate Insurance Committee, said, "Adjusters responding after a flood are a vital lifeline to people facing dire circumstances. Ensuring we have an adequate number of skilled adjusters was a need identified during a flood insurance roundtable I hosted attended by Superintendent Lawsky. I am pleased the Department is responding to this demonstrated need."

"The tragic flooding that occurred in the wake of Tropical Storm Lee highlights the dangers property owners can encounter, and the training and preparation necessary to protect them from those risks," said Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle, Chair of the Assembly's Insurance Committee. "I applaud Governor Cuomo's and Superintendent Lawsky's leadership on an issue that is so critical to New York's homeowners and businesses."

Among other requirements, adjusters must have four consecutive years of experience in adjusting residential and small commercial property losses or five years of experience in adjusting large commercial losses of $500,000 or more. Complete certification requirements can be found on the FEMA website, http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/participation.shtm.

To register to attend the training, adjusters should send an e-mail to martin.schwartzman@dfs.ny.gov with the following information: name of adjuster; name and address of adjuster's insurance company; adjuster's phone number and e-mail address; number of years of experience adjusting residential or small commercial claims and/or number of years adjusting large commercial claims of $500,000 or more.

Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, so adjusters are urged to register as soon as possible to ensure they are able to attend.

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