[Federal Register: December 16, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 241)]
[Notices]               
[Page 70025-70026]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16de03-70]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

 
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and 
Response Directorate, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites 
the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity 
to comment on proposed continuing information collections. In 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)), this notice seeks comments concerning the information 
collection outlined in 44 CFR Part 61, as it pertains to application 
for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) insurance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 
is authorized by Public Law 90-448 (1968) and expanded by Public Law 
93-234 (1973). The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 requires that 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provide flood insurance 
at full actuarial rates reflecting the complete flood risk to 
structures built or substantially improved on or after the effective 
date for the initial Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for the community, 
or after December 31, 1974, whichever is later, so that the risks 
associated with buildings in flood-prone areas are borne by those 
located in such areas and not by the taxpayers at large. In accordance 
with Public Law 93-234, the purchase of flood insurance is mandatory 
when Federal or federally related financial assistance is being 
provided for acquisition or construction of buildings located, or to be 
located, within FEMA-identified special flood hazard areas of 
communities that are participating in the NFIP. When flood damage 
occurs to insured property, information is collected to report, 
investigate, negotiate and settle the claim.

Collection of Information

    Title: National Flood Insurance Program Claims Forms.
    Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved 
collection.
    OMB Number: 1660-0005.
    Form Numbers: 81-40 (Worksheet-Contents-Personal Property), 81-41 
(Worksheet-Building), 81-41A (Worksheet-Building Continued), 81-42 
(Proof of Loss), 81-42A (Increased Cost of Compliance Proof of Loss), 
81-43 (Notice of Loss), 81-44 (Statement as to Full Cost to Repair or 
Replacement Cost Coverage, Subject to the Terms and Conditions of this 
Policy), 81-57 (National Flood Insurance Program Preliminary Report), 
81-58 (National Flood Insurance Program Final Report), 81-59 (National 
Flood Insurance

[[Page 70026]]

Program Narrative Report), 81-63 (Cause of Loss and Subrogation 
Report), 81-96 (Mobile Home Worksheet), 81-98 (Increased Cost of 
Compliance (ICC) Adjuster Report), 81-109 (Adjuster Preliminary Damage 
Assessment), 81-110 (Adjuster Certification Application).
    Abstract: In order to document and pay claims made against the 
National Flood Insurance Program Direct Business this information is 
collected and reviewed as part of the claims handling process by the 
servicing company under contract to FEMA.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Farms; Federal Government; State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 19,605.
    Number of Respondents: 5,000.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion, dependent on weather and 
related flooding conditions.
    Estimated Hours Per Respondent: The average time required for the 
adjuster for each claim filed and the policyholder to list the items 
damaged in the flood and meet with the adjuster concerning the loss is 
estimated to be 4 hours. Burden hours are derived from the reports of 
the Adjusters who meet with the policyholders, from local community 
officials, and from DHS-FEMA staff's personal experience.
    Estimated Total Cost to Respondents: $405,412.00.
    Estimated Total Cost to the Government: The adjusters are paid from 
a fee schedule based on the gross amount of the claim. The average 
adjuster payment was $500.00 per claim. The number of claims annually 
varies with the weather and related flooding conditions. We estimate 
5,000 claims, which provides, reimbursements to adjusters for expenses 
incurred in accordance with NFIP standards to evaluate the loss and 
obtain a proof of loss signed by the claimant, of approximately 
$2,500,000.00. All these costs are paid by the National Flood Insurance 
Program and by the government.
    Comments: Written comments are solicited to (a) Evaluate whether 
the proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) evaluate the 
accuracy of the estimated costs to respondents to provide the 
information to the agency; (d) enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (e) minimize the burden 
of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. 
Comments should be received within 60 days of the date of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Muriel 
B. Anderson, Chief, Records Management Branch, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472, or e-mail address: Muriel.Anderson@dhs.gov, or facsimile number (202) 
646-3524.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information contact 
James S.P. Shortley, Director of Claims, Mitigation Division, Risk 
Insurance Branch at (202) 646-3418. Contact Ms. Anderson for copies of 
the proposed collection of information.

    Dated: December 9, 2003.
Edward W. Kernan,
Division Director, Information Resources Management Division, 
Information Technology Services Directorate.
[FR Doc. 03-30990 Filed 12-15-03; 8:45 am]

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