FEMA to Allow for Remote Inspection of Flood Losses
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued a new COVID-19 Remote Claims Adjusting Guidance memorandum that allows for remote inspections of flood losses to protect the health and safety of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders and NFIP adjusters during the outbreak.
Traditionally FEMA relies on in-person adjustments to administer NFIP claims. This process is when a flood insurance adjuster travels to a policyholder’s house to investigate a loss and develops estimates to repair or replace covered property. The new memorandum outlines who can perform remote claims adjusting, the role of the policy holder, the responsibilities of the insurer, and those situations that cannot be handled remotely.
FEMA has also released an updated edition of the NFIP Flood Insurance Manual effective April 1. The manual is updated twice a year to enhance the customer experience and provide the agency an opportunity to incorporate scheduled program changes, address stakeholder feedback and clarify existing guidance.
This updated edition of the Flood Insurance Manual does not change flood insurance coverage or supersede the terms and conditions of the Standard Flood Insurance Policy. To view the updates made to the manual or for more information on NFIP, visit the FEMA website.
Access the latest NAHB news and business resources to respond to the coronavirus pandemic at nahb.org/coronavirus.
Latest from NAHBNow
Jun 16, 2025
Permit Activity Declines for Fourth Consecutive MonthHousing permits continued a downhill trend for the fourth month in a row, pointing to a broader residential construction slowdown for 2025. Single-family permits were down in three out of four regions, while multifamily permits were up in three out of four regions. See the 10 largest markets for single-family and multifamily activity.
Jun 13, 2025
Podcast: Addressing the Labor Shortage through Advocacy and Key CollaborationsOn the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez are joined by SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis to discuss a new collaboration with NAHB’s Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council to bridge the workforce gap in construction.
Latest Economic News
Jun 13, 2025
Household Real Estate Asset Value Falls to Start the YearThe market value of household real estate assets fell from $48.1 trillion to $47.9 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, according to the most recent release of U.S. Federal Reserve Z.1 Financial Accounts. The value of household real estate assets declined for three consecutive quarters after peaking at $48.8 trillion in the second quarter of 2024 but remains 2.1% higher over the year.
Jun 12, 2025
Producer Prices Rise in May: New Construction Input AnalysisPrices for inputs to new residential construction—excluding capital investment, labor, and imports—rose 0.2% in May, following a (revised) decrease of 0.2% in April. These figures are taken from the most recent Producer Price Index (PPI) report published by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Jun 11, 2025
Inflation Up Slightly in MayDespite inflationary pressure from tariffs, inflation in May rose slightly but came in softer than expected. The Consumer Price Index increased from 2.3% in April to 2.4% in May year-over-year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report.