NFIP Address Discrepancy
Miscalculation of Effective Dates is the most common type of error committed in NFIP Underwriting, but Address Discrepancies come a close second.
USPS Lookup
This utility is found in the upper left toolbar on the United States Postal Service (USPS) website.
- Select "Quick Tools"
- From the dropdown menu, choose "Look Up a ZIP Code"
There are different options within this site to use depending on what you are resolving.
NETR Online
NETR Online catalogs all the online public records libraries across the country by county. Most legal documents can be found here, including real property deeds and taxation records.
Find the "Public Records" link at the top of the page.
The next page shows a variety of search methods.
- You may either use the map to click in the state you need to search, or
- You can select the state name from the drop-down menu, or
- You may need to click the "View More" options; these list the states in alphabetical order.
- After locating the correct state, choose the county name from one of two locations.
- After choosing the county, the next page shows a list of different departments. These must be searched to find the address information you need.
Identifying Discrepancies
| Address 1 | Address 2 | Potential Discrepancy |
|---|---|---|
| 123 Main | 123 Main St | No discrepancy. Suffix differences do not change the location. |
| 123 5th St | 123 5th | No discrepancy. Missing or additional suffixes are considered the same location. |
| 123 N Main | 123 S Main | Requires resolution. Different directional prefixes may represent different buildings. |
| 123 Main N | 123 N Main | No discrepancy. Rearranged directional indicators are considered the same location. |
| 123 W 5th Street | 123 5th St W | No discrepancy. Rearranged suffixes or directional indicators do not change the location. |
| 123 W 5th Suite #1 | 123 W 5th Apt #1 | No discrepancy. "Suite" and "Apt" are interchangeable labels for the same address. |
| 123 W 5th Ave Unit 30 | 123 W 5th Ave Unit 3 | Requires resolution. Confirm if the insured moved locations or if the policy was always intended for Unit 30. |
Notes for Resolution
- If the discrepancy reflects a **change in location**, this may result in a new policy being written.
- If the discrepancy is a **correction to existing information**, update the Policy Record to reflect the correct details.
Appropriate Use
- Use USPS for city and ZIP code verification
- Use Public Records for all else
 |
This page may need to be edited based on suggestions or concerns. Read more in the Discussion page. |