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Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§4072 Adjustment and payment of claims; judicial review; limitations; jurisdiction

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 50— - NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM › Part Part B— - Government Program With Industry Assistance › § 4072

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

If the program in section 4071 is carried out, the Administrator can decide and pay flood‑insurance claims for proven and approved losses. If the Administrator denies a claim or the claimant won’t accept the amount offered, the claimant has one year after the Administrator mails a notice of denial or partial denial to sue the Administrator. The suit must be filed in the U.S. district court where the insured property (or most of it) was located. That court has the sole authority to hear the case first, no matter how much money is involved.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §4072

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In the event the program is carried out as provided in section 4071 of this title, the Administrator shall be authorized to adjust and make payment of any claims for proved and approved losses covered by flood insurance, and upon the disallowance by the Administrator of any such claim, or upon the refusal of the claimant to accept the amount allowed upon any such claim, the claimant, within one year after the date of mailing of notice of disallowance or partial disallowance by the Administrator, may institute an action against the Administrator on such claim in the United States district court for the district in which the insured property or the major part thereof shall have been situated, and original exclusive jurisdiction is hereby conferred upon such court to hear and determine such action without regard to the amount in the controversy.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2012—Pub. L. 112–141 substituted “Administrator” for “Director” wherever appearing. 1983—Pub. L. 98–181, § 451(d)(5), inserted “original exclusive” before “jurisdiction”. Pub. L. 98–181, § 451(d)(1), substituted “Director” for “Secretary” wherever appearing.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective 120 days following Aug. 1, 1968, or such later date prescribed by the Secretary but in no event more than 180 days following Aug. 1, 1968, see section 1377 of Pub. L. 90–448, set out as a note under section 4001 of this title.

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1) of Title 6, Domestic Security. For

Transfer of Functions

, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and section 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 4072

Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73