Flood Insurance Renewals Extended

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has become a regular player in the disaster-ridden life of San Fernando Valley residents, has extended the 30-day grace period for flood insurance renewal an additional 30 days.

The extended grace period applies to policies within the 38 counties, including Los Angeles, that President Clinton declared major disaster areas Jan. 10 after the heavy rains early this year. Those policies have prior grace periods ending between Jan. 3 (the date designated as the beginning of the disaster) and Feb. 2.

For example, a policyholder with a grace period that ended Jan. 18 will now have until Feb. 17 to pay the premium to retain coverage. But those policyholders with grace periods ending after Feb. 2 do not have the additional grace period, FEMA officials said.

They said policyholders whose homes or property was damaged in the floods should contact their insurance agent or company that wrote their policy to file a claim.