Alabama

SB 254 authorizes credits to be taken against insurance premium taxes due and owing for private property insurance carriers who write full coverage homeowners' insurance policies for residences covered by the Alabama Insurance Underwriting Association. Zones where credits are available conform to the coastline in Baldwin and Mobile counties. Credits of 20% to 35% of premium taxes otherwise due are available based on proximity to coastal areas.

Florida

Sent to the governor, SB 1672 prevents the state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. from offering new multi-peril policies to condominiums and apartments. The legislature also passed a measure that eases regulatory burdens for private insurers to provide primary flood insurance coverage as an alternative to the National Flood Insurance Program.

Connecticut

Connecticut lawmakers advanced legislation intended to address concerns that property owners in coastal areas may have difficulty in securing coverage. HB 5502 prohibits insurers from refusing to renew or issue homeowners' policies because the insured has failed to install or have storm shutters on the premises. The bill also prohibits the declination, cancellation or nonrenewal of homeowners' policies due to any loss resulting from one or more catastrophic events. The bill expands the time to bring suit under the standard fire policy from 18 to 24 months. At press time, NAMIC has asked Gov. Dannel Malloy to veto the legislation.

Colorado

Following the massive floods in Colorado last summer, as well as concern about the dumping of vehicles from Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Colorado lawmakers passed HB 1100, which was designed to protect against title washing. This proposal has broad support. It requires a branding on the title of any vehicle that has flood damage and any vehicle that comes into Colorado from out of state—including a flooded vehicle—must maintain its branded title. HB 1100 was signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper and becomes effective Aug. 6.