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Trenton, NJ - February 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Taking further action to help New Jersey residents rebuild and restore their properties after Superstorm Sandy, Governor Chris Christie and Administration officials from key departments today held a Mobile Cabinet in Union Beach, where the Governor announced important measures to help storm-impacted residents resolve Sandy-related insurance disputes more quickly and efficiently. These measures include requested changes to provide for a swifter and fairer conclusion of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims process for residents and an order from the Department of Banking and Insurance requiring an improved consumer response time from insurance companies.

TRENTON, N.J. - January 14, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- If your house is not livable and you have insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency may be able to provide temporary housing or rent under certain circumstances

TRENTON, N.J. - January 11, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Renters who need to repair or replace essential items lost in Hurricane Sandy can get help from the Small Business Administration.

Trenton, NJ - November 14, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- To assist consumers who have suffered property loss as a result of Hurricane Sandy, the Christie Administration announced today the Department of Banking and Insurance will have staff members available at locations in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties Thursday, November 15, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to handle consumers' questions, take complaints, and assist them in filing insurance claims related to damages caused by the storm.

Trenton, NJ - November 2, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Taking action to save homeowners money following Hurricane Sandy, Governor Chris Christie signed Executive Order 107, prohibiting insurance companies from imposing costly hurricane deductibles on New Jersey homeowners. An important part of the recovery of New Jersey will be the influx of funds that occurs when insurers settle claims by New Jersey homeowners. This action will increase the total size of the payments made by the insurance industry, helping residents rebuild their homes and speed New Jersey's path to recover

Trenton, NJ - October 1, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Recent disasters such as Tropical Storm Irene, the wildfires in southern New Jersey and the apartment building fire in Woodbridge all call attention to the vital role that homeowners and renter’s insurance plays in helping consumers rebuild their homes and replace their property following a loss. Unfortunately, consumers may be confused, which can prevent them from buying the insurance product that best fits their needs

WASHINGTON, DC - June 27, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) is working to protect residents of more than 1,800 New Jersey homes from a major flood insurance rate hike. The Senate is currently debating a bill to reform the National Flood Insurance Program, and Senator Lautenberg has introduced amendments to maintain current premium rates for individuals in homes built before many of the federal flood maps were first drawn

TRENTON - June 5, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Although the dry conditions that led to wildfires that burned more than 1,000 acres in New Jersey last month have lessened, wildfires remain a pervasive threat to residents living in rural and heavily wooded areas. The number of wildfires so far in 2012 has already exceeded all of last year’s total, and despite recent rainfall, precipitation levels so far this year remain below those of 2011

TRENTON - March 19, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) Acting Commissioner Ken Kobylowski today reminded New Jersey consumers that National Flood Awareness Week, March 12-16, is an ideal time to evaluate their need for a flood insurance policy. He stressed to consumers that a typical homeowners or renter’s policy does not cover flood damage

NEWARK, NJ - August 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Continuing the State’s on-going efforts to thwart fraudulent “mortgage loan modification” enterprises, Attorney General Paula T. Dow and the State Division of Consumer Affairs filed administrative actions against seven businesses for illegally offering mortgage modification services to homeowners in dire financial straits. State law requires that anyone providing these services in New Jersey be licensed as a Debt Adjuster by the Department of Banking and Insurance, or be otherwise authorized.

TRENTON, NJ - June 16, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Paula T. Dow and Division of Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor announced that two Pennsylvania men and a construction company have been charged in a state grand jury indictment for their alleged roles in an insurance fraud scheme that targeted homes purportedly damaged by hail.

NEWARK, NJ - May 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) were very pleased today to announce that the New Jersey HomeKeeper program, which is federally-funded and state-administered, is launching on a statewide basis, after a successful two-month pilot period.

TRENTON, NJ - April 5, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) Commissioner Tom Considine today reminded consumers that most homeowners or renter’s insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Homeowners or renters can purchase flood insurance provided by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a federal program which is the primary provider of flood insurance, through their insurance broker or carrier.

FORT MONMOUTH N.J. - March 18, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Despite being the nation's number one natural disaster, statistics continue to show that most people ignore the risks associated flooding and do not purchase flood insurance. Since the year 2000 there have been 11 declared disasters in New Jersey, 7 of which included severe flooding, yet only a relatively small number of New Jersey households have flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). These low figures cause concern amongst officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

NEWARK, NJ - March 9, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Office of the Attorney General and State Division of Consumer Affairs this week filed administrative actions against 11 unlicensed businesses offering “mortgage loan modification” services for homeowners in dire financial straits. State law requires that anyone providing these services in New Jersey be licensed as a Debt Adjuster by the Department of Banking and Insurance, or be otherwise authorized

WASHINGTON, DC - November 4, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- This evening, the U.S. Senate passed legislation to extend unemployment insurance for laid off workers. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) was a co-sponsor of the legislation and voted in favor of its passage.

Edison, NJ - May 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — An increasing number of homeowners in coastal areas throughout New Jersey are experiencing greater difficulty in obtaining homeowner's insurance at an affordable rate. In response to this growing problem, the New Jersey Association of REALTORS® (NJAR®) today voiced its support for the "New Jersey Consumer Catastrophe Preparedness and Protection Act."