WASHINGTON — Fourth District Rep. Gene Taylor claimed victory Thursday in a two-year campaign to add wind coverage to national flood insurance, an effort born of problems Hurricane Katrina victims had in making insurance claims.

Taylor's proposal was included in a bill, approved on a 263-146 vote, that would reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program for another five years. It would allow homeowners who purchase flood insurance to buy federal wind coverage as well.

Taylor, a Democrat from Bay St. Louis who has sued his insurance company over losses from Katrina, said the program is needed because many wind damage claims resulting from Katrina were denied by insurance adjusters who insisted the damage was caused by the killer storm's waters.

Taylor also won approval of an amendment to the bill that would increase flood insurance coverage limits for apartment building owners and make them eligible for federal wind coverage. The limit on flood coverage, $500,000, does not adequately cover most apartment buildings, Taylor said.

The above is from a clarionledger.com article, click here to read the full article