S.C. Grants For Mitigation Going Out

The South Carolina program providing aid to homeowners who strengthen their houses against storm damage should be mailing out grants within the next 30 days, according to a spokesperson for the State Insurance Department.

Ann Roberson, speaking for the department, said plans are in the works to give the program a major public relations effort within two or three weeks.

Under the mitigation program--which was part of the Omnibus Coastal Property Insurance Act, passed earlier this year--homeowners can receive up to $5,000 in state money, depending on the value of their home and income level.

The grant program rewards those who make homes more resistant to "hurricane rising water or other catastrophic wind event."

Other features of the act include a prohibition on insurers from non-renewing a policy during hurricane season without 90 days notice, and giving a consumer 30 days to appeal the non-renewal.

Coastal home insurance in the state has been scarce in the wake of the 2005 hurricane season. Among state residents impacted by the difficult market has been State Insurance Director Scott Richardson.

Ms. Roberson said the director, several weeks ago, received notice from Metropolitan Property and Casualty that they would not be renewing coverage of his home in Hilton Head.

She said it was no surprise to the director because the company had said in 2006 that it was eliminating coastal exposures and dropping business in the state.

Mr. Richardson, she said, at this point "has several options for new coverage." Meanwhile, in testimony today before the North Carolina Building Code Council, the American Insurance Association (AIA) urged that stronger hurricane-resistant construction standards be required for all areas of the coast vulnerable to hurricane-force winds.

"Adopting and enforcing all building code provisions to protect consumers and minimize hurricane damage in areas at great risk is one positive and essential step policymakers can take to help sustain insurance availability and more resilient communities," said David Unnewehr, AIA assistant vice president.

According to AIA, North Carolina has extended wind-borne debris requirements for the state's barrier islands and new homes within 1,500 feet of the coast.

If North Carolina continues to exempt wind-borne debris protections in the International Building and Residential Codes for some high-hazard areas along or near the coast, there is greater risk of structural failure and interior damage, not to mention the threat to personal safety, AIA said.

"The North Carolina Code Council has often expressed skepticism about the damage and loss savings from adherence to strong hurricane-resistant standards," said Mr. Unnewehr. "However, the 2004-to-2005 hurricanes provided concrete evidence of reduced frequency of hurricane claims and much lower amount of damage per home when build to modern wind standards."

He added that "the time is now for the state's Code Council to make sure that any future development in coastal counties is built to state-of-the-art standards for wind protection, a step that will enhance personal safety and reduce property loss."