What is the primary purpose of the WYO program?

The primary purpose of the WYO (Write Your Own) program is to sell and manage flood insurance policies. This program allows private insurance companies to write and service federal flood insurance policies under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). When participating in the WYO program, these companies handle various aspects of the insurance process, including selling policies, processing claims, and providing customer service. This structure enhances the accessibility of flood insurance to consumers by leveraging the infrastructure and customer service capabilities of private insurers, ultimately contributing to the broader goal of mitigating flood risks across the nation.

While minimizing flood effects, providing federal funding, and educating the public are critical components of flood management and disaster response, the central aim of the WYO program focuses specifically on the participation of private entities in the administration of flood insurance policies.