As a homeowner, it’s important to insure your home and its contents. Depending on your property location, your home is either considered at high-risk or at moderate-to-low risk for a flood. Your insurance premium will vary accordingly.
Moderate-to-Low Risk
Most homeowner’s in a moderate-to-low risk area are eligible for coverage at a preferred rate. Preferred Risk Policy premiums are the lowest premiums available through the NFIP, offering building and contents coverage for one low price.
If you don’t qualify for a Preferred Risk Policy, a standard rated policy is still available. Even though flood insurance isn’t federally required, nearly 25% of all NFIP flood claims occur in moderate-to-low risk areas.
High-Risk
If you live in a high-risk area, a standard rated policy is the only option for you. It offers separate building and contents coverage.
The Dwelling Form provides insurance for buildings with one to four units, including single-family condominium units and townhouses. The General Property Form provides insurance for other- residential and commercial buildings. Both forms provide optional contents coverage.
Calculated Risk
Flood insurance premiums are calculated based on factors such as:
- Year of building construction
- Building occupancy
- Number of floors
- The location of its contents
- Its flood risk (i.e. its flood zone)
- The location of the lowest floor in relation to the elevation requirement on the flood map (in newer buildings only)
- The deductible you choose and the amount of building and contents coverage
If your home is in a high-risk flood area and you have obtained a mortgage through a federally regulated or insured lender, you are required to purchase a flood insurance policy.
NFIP = National Flood Insurance Program
