The steps and a few others are the only method by which NAR believes it can have an influence on insurers at the federal level, said Task Force Chairman Mike Schmelzer of Tryax Realty in Great Neck, N.Y., who pointed out that individual states are responsible for regulating the insurance business within their own borders.

"Because insurance is a state-regulated business, we have to come around from the other side," said Ed Miller, an NAR lobbyist. To help state and local Realtor associations fight the battle on their own turfs, the big trade association has engaged an un-named but "very expert outside law firm" to work on their behalf, Mr. Schmelzer also said.

Much of what the Realtors are considering appears to be designed to force insurance carriers to back off of their collective stance to date that they have had little choice but to be more restrictive.

"The industry has been slow to come to the table and negotiate," said the New York realty broker reported. The task force report found that the many reasons for the insurance crisis increasing and higher claims, large judgements, terrorism and the stock market meltdown have come together to constitute a "perfect storm" that the industry had no choice but to confront.

But whatever the reason, it said, many sales transactions are problematic at best, "often delayed" and sometimes "falling through due to insurance availability or affordability problems." In what the report called "perhaps the most troubling" aspect of the problem, it said new owners are being informed after settlement but prior to the end of the time period for which an insurance binder is effective that coverage has been denied.

This, it was pointed out, leaves buyers without recourse to negotiate with sellers over required repairs that may be mandated before a policy can be issued. It also forces them to grab coverage at any cost, shouldering an extra burden that was far beyond what they anticipated.

"Without insurance, lenders will not lend; without mortgages, the great majority of sales transactions cannot be consummated," the report said.

"Without continuing coverage, existing home owners cannot remain current on their mortgage obligations and may find themselves subject to expensive lender forced-place coverage or possibly foreclosure." To give buyers and owners a fighting chance, NAR wants insurers as well as lenders not only to disclose the scores on which they base much of their underwriting decisions but also to report the key factors influencing the grade and the date of the score.

It also says consumers need a sufficient explanation of what impact their scores have on their loan and insurance applications.

Stuart Pratt of the Consumer Data Industry Association, which represents the credit bureau business, said several states already require such disclosures of insurers. But Richard Febvre, a re-scoring expert from Flagstaff, Ariz., argued that federal legislation is necessary.

Advocating full disclosure, Mr. Febvre said the revelations states require are "too generic" to be worthwhile. "Consumers can't fight what they can't see," he said, offering that reports need to be more explanatory.

To give consumers a better chance to impact their scores prior to closing instead of after, when it often no longer matters, NAR wants to amend the FCRA to shorten the time frame available for credit reporting agencies to investigate mis-information and correct mistakes.

Currently, agencies have 30 days to look into complaints and make the necessary changes. But they have an extra 15 days if need be. After 45 days, the disputed information must be removed.

But the task force said that the inability to get corrected information can delay or cancel closings, which are now occurring "much sooner after contract." Besides, the report adds, since most information is available electronically, the "ability to complete investigations...can be completed in a much shorter time frame." NAR also wants entities which provide information to credit bureaus to be responsible for furnishing accurate data, and says those who repeatedly and knowingly submit inaccurate info should be fined.

On the commercial side of the real estate ledger, the association advocates amendments to the Risk Retention Act that would permit groups of small property owners to band together in so-called "risk rentention groups" to purchase liability on a bulk basis or to form self-insurance combinations.