PIA National President Robert Page, far right, taking part in the March 1, 2008 NCOIL panel entitled “Protecting the Home: Government Solutions Versus Personal Responsibility.” Pictured with President Page, from the far left, are Dr. Howard Kunreuther of the Wharton School of Business; panel moderator, Representative Joseph Morelle (NY); The Honorable Harry Simmons, Mayor of Caswell Beach North Carolina, representing the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association; and Frank Kowalski, representing the National Association of Realtors.

PIA National President Robert Page participated on an NCOIL panel entitled “Protecting the Home: Government Solutions Versus Personal Responsibility.” Page was joined on the panel by the Honorable Harry Simmons, Mayor of Caswell Beach, North Carolina, representing the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association; Dr. Howard Kunreuther of the Wharton School of Business; and Frank Kowalski, representing the National Association of Realtors.

As a resident of Louisiana, Page was able to bring his personal accounts of market recovery in coastal areas devastated by hurricanes. As PIA National President and member of the PIA Nat-Cat Working Group, he spoke about PIA’s belief (borne from the Nat-Cat experiences of PIA members) for the federal government to concentrate on their existing obligations and find ways to help homeowners in the wake of a storm without discouraging personal responsibility.

President Page and the panelists discussed, among other topics, who is accountable for sufficient coverage and whether flood insurance is the only problem. They also addressed the issue of whether some government actions are enabling poor consumer decisions. The panelists addressed the issue of how states should balance real estate pressures with sound land use policies; and many others.

PIA National welcomes this discussion about the reforms needed to improve protection from and  during, as well as recovery after, natural disasters. PIA will continue to work with NCOIL, NAIC and other interested parties to pursue a comprehensive national plan. PIA’s policy committees are regularly discussing these issues, providing valuable guidance for our national positions.

March 12, 2008