The actions of Nationwide agent Jay Fletcher came under scrutiny in the case of Leonard vs. Nationwide as it was originally alleged that Mr. Fletcher discouraged Mr. Leonard from buying flood insurance.

While Mr. Fletcher himself was dismissed as a defendant when the case moved to federal court, just how he handled his dealings with Mr. Leonard is important for a number of reasons. Among them is the fact that, according to National Flood Insurance Program Administrator David Maurstad, about 50 percent of property owners in high-risk flood areas lack flood insurance.

In his opinion, Judge L.T. Senter accepted the fact that Mr. Fletcher told his client he did not need flood insurance. "Fletcher sometimes discouraged his clients from purchasing flood insurance policies. That much is clear from the testimony of a variety of witnesses, including Fletcher's office assistant, Cindy Byrd Collins," the judge wrote.

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