Alex Lemann

Assistant Professor, Marquette University Law School
I write about torts, insurance, and the environment

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

I have an article in Slate out today with my take on Risk Rating 2.0, FEMAs new approach to setting flood insurance premiums.
https://t.co/VtBqjBbkwD

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

This turned out to be a more balanced take than I expected from the first paragraphs. The concern about lower income communities being singled out for managed retreat is I think valid.

https://t.co/szDu3FHYf7

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

Disappointing that the article mentions only one death- there have been at least 5. But good that the issue is getting attention.

Inside Tesla as Elon Musk Pushed an Unflinching Vision for Self-Driving Cars https://t.co/fer2B9oJux

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

Glad to see the issue of flood risk disclosure getting (bipartisan) attention in Congress. I would not limit it to flood zones since there's plenty of risk outside them.
https://t.co/0fRfTQZ9uy

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

I have a piece coming out in the Colorado Law Review this Spring that looks at some downsides to using mandatory flood insurance to force people away from flood risk. Are NFIP premiums going to become cigarette taxes for flood risk?

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

FEMA is about to implement "Risk Rating 2.0," which will raise flood insurance premiums for 80% of #NFIP policyholders. It's drawing opposition from across the political spectrum. FEMA's own work shows affordability will be a major problem.

https://t.co/SfJcF4B7Gc

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

Glad to see the issue of compliance with NFIP's purchase mandate getting attention. But it's a hard problem to fix without first addressing affordability.
https://t.co/qDawaqRm4L

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

P.S. Happy to share that my paper addressing this issue has been accepted for publication by the University of Colorado Law Review! https://t.co/Cqehy6HtGt

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

https://t.co/VxfZOBTmQq

This should not surprise anyone. The financial impact of higher flood insurance premiums cuts across political and socio-economic lines. Many of the parts of NYC that are most at risk of flooding are not wealthy.

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

Not the first study to produce similar findings, but super important nonetheless. Of particular note: "Millions of home and property owners have had no way of knowing the significant risk they face," and problem is worse in minority neighborhoods. https://t.co/GusnSmF1dk

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

An Arizona appellate court recently revived a plaintiff's claim that a Jeep that rear ended her was defective b/c it lacked automatic emergency braking. We might see more of these claims as AV tech makes incremental progress. https://t.co/3VuqCC5ojh

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

Significant story that has somehow flown under the radar. It's interesting that Nashville has gone along with it (mandatory buyouts) while other places threatened by sea level rise seem more resistant.

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

Excellent reminder that affordability remains a major challenge for the NFIP. The problem of not enough people buying flood insurance deserves more attention.

"Where it can rain, it can flood." Still, most Americans do not have flood insurance. https://t.co/JWLVmneBaP

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

Tesla's AP not supposed to be used on highways like this (with crossing traffic) but they allow it anyway. Also car could be set to cruise at almost 70 in a 55mph zone. Both things that factored into an almost identical fatal crash 3 yrs before.

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

NTSB opened public dockets for two fatal crashes involving #Tesla Autopilot today. No official conclusions but lots of interesting facts...
https://t.co/wgy1VwPQGU

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

Second killed Jeremy Banner when he crashed head on into a tractor trailer that was crossing his path and completely obstructing the road. AP was active and did not detect the truck at all. (Banner didn't either, and didn't have hands on wheel).

[Alex Lemann @AlexLemann]

I'll believe it when I see it, but this sounds like exciting progress.

GM’s Cruise plans to unveil production details for its robot taxi soon. ‘This is a fully engineered vehicle that’s on its way to production,’ Dan Ammann, Cruise CEO, says. https://t.co/49qCalG1my via @WSJ