Standard homeowners’ insurance does not cover flooding, that's why it is important to have financial protection from floods that cause damage to structures and property.

In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to help provide a means for property owners to financially protect themselves. The NFIP is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which works closely with more than 80 private insurance companies to offer flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners.

Individuals, businesses and others buying, building or improving property located in regulatory floodplains are required to purchase flood insurance as a prerequisite for receiving any type of direct or indirect federal financial assistance (e.g., any loan, grant, guaranty, insurance, payment, subsidy or disaster assistance). The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP. Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA requirements to reduce the risk of flooding. To find out if your community participates in the NFIP, visit our Floodplain Community Search Page.

Recently Received New Floodplain Maps?

Newly Identified as Lower Flood Risk

When going from a high-risk zone (e.g., Zone A) to a moderate-low risk zone (i.e., Zone X), the mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement is removed, though lenders always reserve the right to require it. Because flood zones and Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) are no longer a rating variable, there is no change in premium when the map changes if the property owner chooses to continue coverage. Similarly, a decrease in BFE will result in no change in premium when the map changes.

Increased Flood Risk

Some property owners and renters may be in an area where the BFE increases or the high-risk flood zone increases to a higher risk. Since flood zones and BFEs are no longer a rating variable under the new pricing approach, this means there would be no change in their new pricing approach premium when the map changes. Policies already grandfather-rated from the previous rating system will be on a glide path of 18% annual increases until they reach full-risk rates (except those that are statutorily on a 25% glide path, like pre-FIRM secondary homes and businesses). 

For property owners and renters that are newly identified as being in a high-risk flood area from the moderate- to low-risk flood area, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offers a one-time cost-saving option called the Newly Mapped Discount. If there is a federally backed loan on the property, the federal mandatory purchase requirement applies. As a result, most lenders will require flood insurance. Property owners and renters previously designated outside of the Special Flood Hazard Area, and newly identified to be in a Special Flood Hazard Area, and whose policy is effective within 12 months of the effective date of the new map, may be eligible for a one-time Newly Mapped Discount. Upon renewal, policy rates will then increase on a 15% annual glide path until they reach their full-risk rate. If the property is sold, the discounted policy can be transferred to the new owners. Property owners must maintain continuous coverage to keep their Newly Mapped discount. 

NFIP's New Pricing Approach

FEMA has updated the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) pricing methodology using a new Pricing Approach. The methodology enables FEMA to deliver rates that are actuarily sound, equitable, easier to understand and better reflect a property’s flood risk. FEMA implemented the system using a phased approach to rolling out the new rates. New policies beginning Oct. 1, 2021, are subject to the new rating methodology. Also beginning Oct. 1, existing policyholders eligible for renewal were able to take advantage of immediate decreases in their premiums. All policies renewed on or after April 1, 2022, are subject to the new rating methodology. Current National Flood Insurance Program policyholders can contact their insurance company or insurance agent at any time to learn more about what the new Pricing Approach means to them.

What Changed Under the NFIP's New Pricing Approach?

The Rating System

Previously, flood insurance rates were based on static measurements, and were primarily determined using a property’s elevation within regulatory flood zones.

With the new pricing approach, FEMA now has the capability and tools to address rating disparities by incorporating more flood risk variables at an individual property level. These include flood frequency, multiple flood types (river overflow, storm surge, coastal erosion and heavy rainfall), and distance to a water source along with property characteristics such as elevation and the cost to rebuild.

Elevation Certificates

Elevation Certificates will no longer be required to obtain a Flood Insurance quote. Because each property is receiving an individualized assessment, elevation data will be provided to the applicant. Elevation Certificates may still be obtained if the applicant feels it may benefit their insurance rate. Elevation Certificates will still be required for communities participating in CRS. Communities may still require Elevation Certificates to verify the lowest floor elevation of new or existing developments for floodplain development permitting.

Expanded Mitigation Credits

Under the new pricing approach, certified mitigation strategies can be utilized and credited towards a discount on flood insurance policies. At the individual policy level, there are two forms of mitigation credits that can be awarded:

• Machinery and Equipment (M&E):

  • The location of Machinery and Equipment (M&E) no longer has anything to do with determining what is considered the lowest floor. Rather, the building’s foundation type will determine where the M&E needs to be located to get the credit. The credit equates to a 5% discount on flood insurance and is available to ALL eligible policyholders.

  • Furthermore, agents and policyholders will now be able to self-certify whether the M&E are in compliance by answering “Yes/No” on the Insurance Application.

  • The Risk Rating 2.0 Flood Insurance Manual (also located at the bottom of the page under "Documents and Resources") will contain detailed guidance on where the M&E should be elevated based on foundation type.

M & E includes = Central AC (excluding compressor), Furnace, Heat Pump (excluding compressor), Hot Water Heater, & Elevator machinery & equipment

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• Flood Vents:

  • Credit for flood vents or openings will be expanded to all eligible policyholders, regardless of flood zone. The flood venting credit will be based on a percentage discount of 3%-27%. The insurance agent and policyholder will again be able to self-certify the venting and will be required to maintain documentation in the underwriting file which will be subject to FEMA Operational Reviews. The flood venting requirement itself is not changing, and venting must still comply with 44 CFR 60.3.

  • More details on this credit are included in the new Risk Rating 2.0 Flood Insurance Manual.  

What Did Not Change Under the NFIP's New Pricing Approach?

Limiting Annual Premium Increases

Existing statutory limits on rate increases require that most rates not increase more than 18% per year.

Using Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Mandatory Purchase and Floodplain Management

FEMA’s flood map data informs the catastrophe models used in the development of rates under the NFIP's new pricing approach. That is why critical flood mapping data is necessary and essential for communities. It informs floodplain management building requirements and the mandatory purchase requirement.

LOMA and LOMR-F Process

LOMAs and LOMR-Fs are still available to property owners wanting to remove their properties or structures from the floodplain. The process remains the same, and an elevation certificate will be required for the application.

Maintaining Features

FEMA will be maintaining features to simplify the transition to the new pricing approach by offering premium discounts to eligible policyholders. This means:

• FEMA continues to offer premium discounts for pre-FIRM subsidized and newly mapped properties.

• Policyholders are still able to transfer their discount to a new owner by assigning their flood insurance policy when their property changes ownership. This transfer is encouraged, as an existing policy will remain on the maximum 18% glide path to the full-risk rating, while a new policy would be introduced at the full-risk rating with no glide path.

• And, discounts to policyholders in communities who participate in the Community Rating System will continue. Communities will continue to earn National Flood Insurance Program rate discounts of 5% - 45% based on the Community Rating System classification. However, since the new priving approach does not use flood zones to determine flood risk, the discount will be uniformly applied to all policies throughout the participating community, regardless of whether the structure is inside or outside of the Special Flood Hazard Area.