Institute for Business & Home Safety News

Alabama Insurance Underwriting Association Announces Discount For Fortified...for safer living(R) Homes

FOLEY, Ala., July 1 PRNewswire-USNewswire — Effective today, the Alabama Insurance Underwriting Association (AIUA), commonly known as the Beach Pool, is implementing new discounts to help coastal Alabama policyholders reduce their premiums for windstorm coverage.

The Beach Pool discounts will apply to homes built to the Fortified...for safer living(R) construction standard of the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).

The Fortified program is designed to lessen damage from the hazards a home will face. In coastal Alabama, that would include hurricanes and flooding. The program pays special attention to the most vulnerable areas of a home, including window and door protection, connections tying the house together, roof construction and building elevation. Construction and materials must meet program standards, but specific products or brands are not required.

The credits for Fortified...for safer living(R) construction will dramatically reduce insurance premiums for homes that meet the Fortified standard. Discounts range from 17 percent to 56 percent, depending on type of construction and whether the home is located in the eligible Gulf Front, Beach, or Seacoast territories of Baldwin and Mobile Counties.

ALABAMA DISCOUNTS REINFORCED CONCRETE WOOD FRAME BRICK VENEER/FRAME GULF FRONT ZONE 50% 21% 17% BEACH ZONE 52% 26% 23% SEACOAST ZONE 56% 29% 28%

Insurance Commissioner Walter Bell said, "I applaud this effort to provide Beach Pool policyholders appropriate discounts. I encourage all Beach Pool policyholders to check with their agents to see if they are eligible or to determine how to become eligible."

IBHS President and CEO Julie Rochman added, "A stronger building stock improves availability and affordability of insurance, helps maintain stability of the local economy, and - should disaster strike - reduces the drain on recovery dollars from local, state and federal sources. Everyone benefits when homes better resist the threats they face."

Carl Schneider, an insurance agent in Mobile and board member with Alabama Independent Insurance Agents Association, said, "The homeowner spends a little more up front for Fortified...for safer living(R) construction, but recovers that cost over the years through premium credits. The Beach Pool can charge less for coverage since the building is less likely to suffer damage in a storm. This is a long-term solution for coastal areas."

Discounts will also be available for existing homes that are strengthened or protected through a series of retrofit measures, which must be inspected and certified by a licensed professional engineer. Policyholders should discuss these concepts with their agent.

IBHS is a nonprofit, scientific and educational organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks to residential and commercial property by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices.

SOURCE Institute for Business & Home Safety

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