DFS URGES NEW YORKERS TO CONSIDER FLOOD INSURANCE TO PROTECT THEIR HOMES AND BUSINESS...

Will your homeowner’s insurance policy protect you against damage to your home if heavy spring rains lead to flooding? “Too many people take it for granted that their homeowner’s insurance will cover flood damage, but that’s not the case. The fact is that most homeowners’ policies provide no protection at all from flooding,” said Maria T. Vullo, Acting Superintendent of Financial Services

Gillibrand and Rice’s Bipartisan Legislation Would Increase Transparency & Accountability to Improve How FEMA...

After Superstorm Sandy victims faced an extensive, burdensome and fraud-ridden flood insurance claims process, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Kathleen rice today announced their push for new bipartisan legislation to require more transparency and accountability from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) so that home and property owners who carry flood insurance policies are better protected in the event of another storm.

SCHUMER RECOMMENDS LONG ISLAND’S GARY R. BROWN TO FILL ISLIP SEAT ON UNITED STATES...

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that he is recommending U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Brown to President Obama to serve on the bench of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Judge Brown is a resident of Setauket, was raised in Elmont, went to Elmont Memorial High School and was born in Brooklyn.

SCHUMER: IT’S TIME TO RETIRE FEMA’S ‘WYO’ MODEL FROM THE 80’S; SENATOR URGES FEMA...

For the first time ever, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to scrap the decades-old Write-Your-Own (WYO) insurance model from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and move forward to overhaul the process entirely so that flood insurance policyholders in New York and across the country are benefited in the future. The WYO model has been in place since 1983 and allows participating insurance companies to write and service policies in their own names

DFS Mobile Command Center to Howard Beach and Rockaway Beach Sites to Deliver Foreclosure...

The Department of Financial Services (DFS) Mobile Command Center will be in two sites in Queens to provide foreclosure prevention assistance to financially struggling homeowners and help answer questions related to insurance issues. DFS representatives will be available to meet homeowners at these locations:

SCHUMER URGES FEDS TO EXAMINE OUTDATED FLOOD MAPS IN JOHNSTOWN; CURRENT MAPS, WHICH DATE...

Today, at the Johnstown Shopping Center, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to examine the outdated flood maps that have incorrectly placed the Johnstown Shopping Center, as well as up to 50 other properties in the surrounding area, in the Cayudutta Creek’s flood zone. Now that more comprehensive and accurate analyses are available, Schumer will urge FEMA to rectify the situation by correcting the maps and working with local leaders to ensure that thorough engineering analysis is completed to provide the data necessary to make these important adjustments.

Schumer, Gillibrand Call for ‘Proof Of Loss’ Extension for Sandy Victims; Deadline Fast Approaching...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 24, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- FEMA’s ‘Proof of Loss’ Form Must Be Submitted By April 28th for Flood Insurance Coverage of Personal Property that was Damaged By Floodwaters; Many Sandy-Victims Are Still Recovering & Need More Time to File Claims

Maloney Supports Bipartisan Compromise to Reverse Last Congress’ Catastrophic Flood Insurance Hikes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 12, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) strongly supported passage of a bipartisan flood insurance reform bill, which reverses the dramatic flood insurance rate hikes for homeowners. Passed by a vote of 306-91, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act ends the automatic rate increases caused by events such as property sales and restores grandfathered rates for those who played by the rules and built their properties according to code. This bill also provides a refund for those families who have already been hit by unaffordable premium increases.

House Leadership Announces Vote on Rep. Grimm’s Flood Insurance Reform Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 14, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- In announcing the House’s pending vote on the Congressman’s legislation, Majority Leader Eric Cantor (VA-7) praised the Congressman’s steadfast efforts to drive flood insurance negotiations over the past several months. “I applaud Congressman Grimm’s constant leadership in bringing all sides together on this important issue. His tireless work to find a solution for the National Flood Insurance Program is a testament to his dedication to his constituents” said Leader Cantor

Senator Joined Bipartisan Group Last Month Urging Congress to Pass Flood Reform Bill

Washington, DC - February 3, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that today, the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act that she has co-sponsored to delay the most aggressive rate increases and fix major flaws in the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform law to make the National Flood Insurance Program affordable, accessible and self-sustainable. The bill, which also includes Gillibrand’s amendment that will help thousands of New York City homeowners whose homes are impossible to elevate reduce their flood risk and lower flood insurance rates, now heads to the House for a vote.

Gillibrand Announces Bipartisan Flood Insurance Bill to Delay Rate Hikes Will Include her Amendment...

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that her amendment to help thousands of New York City homeowners whose homes are impossible to elevate reduce their flood risk and lower flood insurance rates will be included in the bipartisan Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. The U.S. Senate unanimously approved her amendment today to be part of the latest flood insurance legislation and is set to vote on final passage of the bill tomorrow. Gillibrand’s amendment would help New York City and urban homeowners of buildings such as brownstones, brick buildings, and multi-family homes that are physically impossible to elevate to reduce their flood risk and lower their flood insurance rates.

Gillibrand Introduces Amendment to Help NYC Homeowners Reduce Flood Risk, Lower Flood Insurance Rates...

Washington, DC - January 28, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- As the Senate gets ready to vote tonight to begin debate on a bill to delay flood insurance premiums, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced an amendment to the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which will help New York City and other urban homeowners of buildings such as brownstones, brick buildings, and multi-family homes that are physically impossible to elevate to reduce their flood risk and lower their flood insurance rates. Currently, the only way to reduce flood insurance premiums for homeowners living in flood-prone areas is to elevate their homes. But for thousands of New York homeowners who cannot elevate their properties due to its inherent structure, there are no federal guidelines in place to prevent a costly increase in their flood insurance rates

Governor Cuomo Deploys DFS Mobile Command Center to West Seneca to Help Victims of...

Albany, NY - January 22, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today deployed the Department of Financial Services’ (DFS) Mobile Command Center to West Seneca to help homeowners and businesses affected by recent flooding. Governor Cuomo also outlined resources and advice for victims who are dealing with their insurance companies to help them get the relief to which they are entitled as quickly as possible, including the availability of a DFS Disaster Hotline at 1-800-339-1759

Madison Avenue Office Cleaners Strike

New York, NY - November 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- More than a thousand building service workers came out to support their union brothers and sisters at 286 and 295 Madison Avenue, who struck Wednesday afternoon to protest their employers’ unfair labor practice charges.

Congresswoman Clarke Supports Affordable Flood Insurance for Homeowners

Brooklyn, N.Y. - November 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke announced today that she has become a co-sponsor of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which will protect homeowners from substantial increases in the cost of flood insurance as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

SCHUMER PUSHES FOR DELAY IN FLOOD INSURANCE PREMIUM HIKES THAT COULD HIT UP TO...

New York, NY - November 14, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- On a press conference call, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced bipartisan legislation, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which will protect up to 11,000 Upstate New York homeowners from facing potentially huge flood insurance premium rate hikes, and over 20,000 more from seeing their property values decimated – as a result of higher premiums facing any new buyer – when they try to sell. Schumer’s legislation would require FEMA to complete an affordability study and propose real solutions to address affordability issues before flood insurance premiums can be raised for most homeowners.

Schumer, Menendez & Bipartisan Coalition Announce Legislation to Protect Homeowners From Flood Insurance Rate...

WASHINGTON, DC - October 31, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- On the one year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and a bipartisan coalition of members today announced they will introduce the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act which will protect millions of homeowners from facing huge flood insurance premium rate hikes and require FEMA to complete an affordability study and propose real solutions to address affordability issues before any flood insurance premiums can be raised in the future. The bill is sponsored by Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and co-sponsored by Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senators Mary Landrieu (D-AR), David Vitter (R-LA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), John Hoeven

Suffolk County Legislature Approves Resolution to Strengthen and Improve Regulating Home Improvement Contractors

Hauppauge, NY - August 2, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the Suffolk County Legislature has approved legislation presented by the County Executive to strengthen Suffolk County’s occupational licensing law to protect the residents of Suffolk County by increasing the liability insurance requirements of contractors who are undertaking an elevation project.

Hundreds Protest Four-Year Wage Freeze, Health Insurance Loss at Bronx Co-op

New York, NY - July 17, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Concourse Village workers, tenants and hundreds of their supporters will rally outside the apartment complex this Wednesday afternoon to protest the co-op board’s proposed 4-year wage freeze for their staff. Sixty-seven porters and handypersons are about to lose their health insurance and pension if an agreement with the board is not reached soon. Workers and their union, 32BJ SEIU, have bargained in good faith with the co-op board since the contract expired in 2011 to no avail

Governor Cuomo Deploying DFS Mobile Command Center to Oneida and Herkimer Counties to Help...

Albany, NY - July 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is deploying the Department of Financial Services’ (DFS) Mobile Command Center to Oneida and Herkimer Counties to help homeowners and businesses affected by recent heavy rains and devastating flood damage in the Mohawk Valley region. Governor Cuomo also outlined resources and advice for victims who are dealing with their insurance company to help them get the relief to which they are entitled as quickly as possible, including the availability of a DFS Disaster Hotline at 1-800-339-1759

New York State Senate Passes Klein Bill to Stop Homeowner Insurance Scams

ALBANY, NY - June 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- On Tuesday, the New York Senate passed legislation to protect homeowners from insurance scams by establishing a strict firewall between public adjusters and contractors. The legislation (S.3771A) was written by Senator Klein in response to a series of complaints filed by homeowners against City Island-based Adjustrite, a contracting firm that had established a coordinated scheme whereby a public adjuster directed homeowners to a local contractor with whom he worked and had a nefarious financial arrangement. The bill, known as the “Gayla Marsh Bill,” was named after Gayla Marsh, who fell victim to Adjustrite. Her son, Chancy Marsh, notified Senator Klein’s office and, together, identified other victims of Adjustrite

Assembly Passes Comprehensive Sandy Insurance Reform Package to Protect Homeowners and Businesses in the...

New York, NY - June 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Insurance Committee Chair Kevin Cahill joined with colleagues to announce the Assembly's passage of an expansive legislative package that would help reform the arduous recovery and rebuilding process in the wake of widespread damages caused by Hurricane Sandy. The bills would establish a Homeowner's Bill of Rights, reform the insurance process to make it more timely and efficient and hold insurance companies to a higher standard of accountability.

Statement from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s Proposal on...

Albany, NY - March 26, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- "New York's reforms and the findings of the extensive investigation by the Department of Financial Services continue to serve as a national model and FHFA's new proposal appears to be another step in that direction."

New York recovery from Hurricane Sandy: By the Numbers

NEW YORK, NY - March 15, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Disaster assistance to New York survivors of Hurricane Sandy:

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES OFFERING INSURANCE ASSISTANCE IN MANHATTAN, STATEN ISLAND, BROOKLYN AND QUEENS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 11, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Benjamin M. Lawsky, Superintendent of Financial Services, announced that representatives of the Department of Financial Services will be at locations in Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens to help homeowners, renters and business owners with insurance-related issues stemming from damage caused by Storm Sandy