**GAO-08-28**                      Published: Dec 28, 2007. Publicly Released: Jan 30, 2008.                  

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## Highlights

Disputes between policyholders and insurers after the 2005 hurricane season highlight the challenges in understanding the cause and extent of damages when properties are subjected to both high winds and flooding. Questions remain over the adequacy of steps taken by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure that claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) cover only those damages caused by flooding. GAO was asked to evaluate (1) issues that arise when multiple insurance policies provide coverage for losses from a single event, (2) state regulators' oversight of loss adjusters, and (3) information that NFIP collects to assess the accuracy of damage determinations and payments. GAO collected data from FEMA, reviewed reinspection reports and relevant policies and procedures, and interviewed state regulatory officials and others about adjuster oversight and NFIP.

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## Topics

Economic Development

Damage claimsstate relationsFlood insuranceFloodsHurricane KatrinaHurricane RitaHurricanesInsurance claimsPolicy evaluationProgram managementDisaster mitigationPolicies and proceduresTransparency