Rep. Higgins Introduces Legislation to Protect Louisianans From Insurance Fraud After Flooding

WASHINGTON, June 24 -- Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release:

Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) introduced today the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Consultant Accountability Act of 2021 to protect Louisiana homeowners from bad-faith actors who mishandle claims to lower insurance reimbursements following a disaster. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) is leading companion legislation in the United States Senate.

The bill would provide greater authority to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to fire consultants, contractors, law firms, engineering firms, and other third parties involved in NFIP contracts if they intentionally mishandle claims to lower insurance reimbursements following a disaster. Currently, FEMA can only fire entities with a criminal conviction.

Text of the bill is available here: https://clayhiggins.house.gov/sites/clayhiggins.house.gov/files/NFIP%20Consultant%20Accountability%20Act.pdf

Congressman Higgins issued the following statement:

"Recovering from a natural disaster is difficult enough without having to battle for a fair insurance payment. Our legislation helps protect Louisiana families and holds bad-faith actors accountable. These are needed reforms. I want to thank Senator Kennedy for leading this effort in the Senate, and I'm proud to join him in fighting for Louisiana."