FEMA Invites Insurers to Write Flood Policies
Published Date: 5/5/2026
Notice
Summary
FEMA is inviting private insurance companies to join the National Flood Insurance Program’s Write Your Own (WYO) Program for Fiscal Year 2027. These companies can sell and manage flood insurance policies under their own names with financial help from FEMA. Interested insurers need to sign up by September 2, 2026, to get involved and help protect homes from flood damage.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Daily Access to NFIP Funds for Claims
FEMA must enable WYO companies to withdraw funds from the National Flood Insurance Fund daily to pay claims, refunds, and loss adjustment expenses. If funding is not adequate, FEMA may direct companies to suspend issuing loss payments, and companies are not required to pay claims from their own funds during such a suspension.
How WYO Companies Are Paid
WYO companies may retain 15% of written premiums as an allowance to pay insurance agents and brokers. They may also withhold operating and administrative expense amounts calculated from industry expense ratios, and FEMA may pay growth and retention bonuses up to 2% of aggregate net written premium paid to companies after the Arrangement year.
Customer Service, Processing, and Claims Timelines
WYO companies must provide a live customer service agent reachable by phone on business days. FEMA sets firm time standards: application processing 15 business days, renewals 7 business days, endorsements 15 business days, cancellations 15 business days, file examination 7 business days, claims draft processing 7 business days, and claims adjustment 45 calendar days. Transactions must be uploaded to Pivot within 1 business day.
Company Compliance, Cybersecurity, and Registration Rules
Participating companies must register and keep active status in the System for Award Management (SAM) and implement cybersecurity controls consistent with NIST SP 800-171 Revision 3, validated by a third-party assessor, or use FEMA-accepted alternatives (ISO/IEC 27001, NIST CSF, CMMC 2.0, SOC 2). Companies must also submit an operations plan within 90 days and meet vendor oversight, privacy, and system security plan requirements.
Insurers: FY2027 WYO Signup Deadline
If you are a private insurer that wants to sell National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies under the Write Your Own (WYO) program, you must submit intent to subscribe or re-subscribe by September 2, 2026. The FY2027 Arrangement is effective October 1, 2026 through at least September 30, 2027.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-12399 — Rescinding Portions of DHS Title VI Regulations To Conform More Closely With the Statutory Text and To Implement Executive Order 14281
Starting June 22, 2026, DHS is updating its rules to match the original meaning of the Civil Rights Act’s Title VI, just like the Department of Justice did. This change affects anyone involved with DHS or FEMA programs that get federal money, making it easier and cheaper to follow the rules while protecting people from discrimination. No big costs or delays—just clearer, fairer rules for everyone!
2026-11826 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection, Comment Request; FEMA Inspection and Claims Forms
FEMA wants to update its inspection and claims forms to make things easier and faster for people applying for disaster help. This affects anyone filing a claim or getting an inspection after a disaster. They’re asking for your feedback before making changes, with no new costs or deadlines yet.
2026-11665 — Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA has updated flood risk maps for several communities, changing flood zones, flood heights, and special flood areas. These changes affect homeowners, businesses, and local governments by potentially altering flood insurance costs and building rules. The updates are final, and folks should check the new maps soon to stay protected and compliant.
2026-11669 — Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for certain communities using new science, which could change flood zones and insurance rules. If you live or own property in these areas, your flood insurance costs or requirements might change soon. You’ve got 90 days after local notices to ask for a review, so keep an eye out and act fast!
2026-11675 — Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA just updated flood risk maps for several communities, changing flood zones and water levels that affect flood insurance rules. If you live or own property in these areas, your insurance rates or building rules might change soon. These updates are final and already published, so check your local map or online to see how it impacts you and your wallet.
2026-11664 — Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA just updated flood risk maps for several communities, changing flood zones and water levels that affect flood insurance rules. If you live or own property in these areas, your flood insurance rates or requirements might change soon. These updates are final and already published, so check your local map or online to see how it impacts you and your wallet.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-08727 — Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol From the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations
The U.S. Department of Commerce is starting investigations to see if polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) from China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam is being sold in the U.S. at unfairly low prices. This move could lead to extra duties on these imports, helping American producers like BASF compete fairly. The investigation began April 28, 2026, so importers and exporters should watch for updates that might affect costs soon.
Next: 2026-08729 — Pacific Island Fisheries; Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review; Public Meeting
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA are hosting a virtual meeting on May 18-19, 2026, to review the latest update on American Samoa bottomfish stocks. This review helps make sure fishing rules keep fish populations healthy and sustainable. Fishermen, local communities, and fish lovers should pay attention because the results could affect future catch limits and fishing practices.