Webinars: Another NFIP Training Option

What is a webinar?

According to the PC Magazine online encyclopedia, a webinar (WEB-based semINAR

To participate in Web seminars such as these, attendees log onto a prearranged website to access the material to which the presenter will refer during the lecture. In addition, attendees use a designated conference telephone number to connect with the presenter and other attendees. During the talk, the presenter refers to information being displayed on the attendees’ computer screens. During interactive webinars, audience members are encouraged to discuss the material presented and ask questions by telephone.

Webinars are typically used to enable people in geographically distant areas to meet for training in cyberspace. For this reason, since April 2006, basic NFIP training and post-flood briefings have been offered via webinar to Write Your Own companies in Alaska, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Texas. In June 2006, Federal Insurance Administrator David Maurstad hosted a webinar designed to update State Insurance Commissioners about NFIP issues such as levees and agent training requirements. In March 2007, another NFIP webinar was held for State Insurance Departments to discuss implementation of the requirements for flood insurance training included in the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004. Additional lender webinars were held in June, November and December 2007. More are scheduled for 2008.

Another NFIP distance learning tool available to all insurance agents is the NFIP Agent Training Station, where visitors can take online training modules or view videos from National Flood Conference presentations and public service productions.