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HR 5608119th CongressIn Committee

To ensure that Write Your Own companies can sell private flood insurance products that compete with National Flood Insurance Program products.

Introduced: Sep 26, 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17] (R-Florida)
Financial Services
Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to ensure that Write Your Own (WYO) companies can sell private flood insurance without being forced to sign non-compete agreements tied to participation in the NFIP. Specifically, it adds a new subsection defining the WYO program and prohibits FEMA from requiring non-compete clauses as a condition of WYO participation or NFIP activities. It also bars any post-enactment agreement with insurers from including such non-compete provisions. The aim is to promote private flood insurance competition by allowing private insurers, agents, brokers, and related organizations to offer private flood products alongside NFIP offerings.

Key Points

  • 1Creates a new subsection (f) to Section 1345 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, clarifying the “Write Your Own Program” as private insurers selling NFIP-backed flood coverage under their own lines and handling claims.
  • 2Prohibits the NFIP Administrator from requiring non-compete clauses as a condition of WYO participation or other NFIP activities, thereby preserving the ability of private entities to offer private flood insurance.
  • 3Extends the prohibition to the entities involved in NFIP operations (insurers, agents/brokers, and adjusters) to ensure broad freedom to compete.
  • 4Forbids any “financial assistance/subsidy arrangement” that would impose or enforce a non-compete restriction in future WYO agreements.
  • 5Makes clear that private flood insurance (as defined by federal law) can be offered without being constrained by NFIP participation agreements, potentially increasing market competition.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Write Your Own program participants, including private property insurers, insurance agents and brokers, and insurance adjustment organizations involved with the NFIP.Secondary group/area affected: NFIP policyholders and consumers seeking flood insurance options, who may gain access to more private flood product choices.Additional impacts:- FEMA and NFIP administration may experience changes in how WYO agreements are structured, with less emphasis on non-compete restrictions.- The private flood insurance market could see expanded competition with NFIP offerings, potentially influencing product variety and pricing.- Overall policy landscape regarding flood insurance competition and market dynamics between public (NFIP) and private markets.
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