National Flood Insurance Program

NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM OVERVIEW

In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance program (NFIP) to provide affordable flood insurance to people who live in areas with the greatest risk of flooding called Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs).  The NFIP makes federally backed flood insurance available in communities that agree to adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage.  This is important because property owners who hold a federally backed mortgage (VA, FHA, FNMA, etc.) must purchase flood insurance if the property is located within a SFHA.  Fort Pierce has participated in the NFIP since 1977.

The Community Rating System (CRS) is a program developed by the Federal Insurance Administration to provide incentives for NFIP communities that implement more stringent floodplain management standards than the minimum NFIP requirements.  The CRS rewards these efforts with discounts on flood insurance premiums for residents and businesses.  The City of Fort Pierce actively participates in the CRS Program and currently holds a class 6 CRS rating.  This classification, equates to a 20% discount on new or renewed flood insurance policies for SFHA properties and a 10% discount for non-SFHA properties.

Annually the City's CRS Class 6 rating will generate approximately $424,014 in savings on flood premiums for you, our valued residents and businesses.

NFIP Logo

Flooding can happen anywhere, at any time

A property does not have to be near water to flood.  Between 2015 and 2019, more than 40% of all NFIP flood claims came from outside the high-risk flood areas, known as the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs)

Floods can result from:

  • Storms
  • Hurricanes
  • Drainage system backups
  • Broken water mains
  • Changes to land from new construction

If you live outside the SFHA, you can obtain flood insurance at a low premium.  Contact an insurance agent to find out more.

Flood Insurance

Flood insurance covers losses to your property caused by flooding. From structural and mechanical damage to flood debris cleanup and floor surfaces (like tile and carpeting), your investment is protected by a flood insurance policy, something that your homeowners' or renters' policy does not offer. In addition, you can purchase separate coverage that insures most of your personal property and belongings. With rare exceptions, you are eligible to purchase flood insurance, regardless of your property's flooding history. Most mortgage lenders require flood insurance for properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA). All properties secured by a federally backed mortgage (FHA, VA, FNMA, etc) must carry flood insurance. It takes 30 days after purchase for a policy to take effect, so it is important to buy insurance before the floodwaters start to rise. In high-risk area, 1 in 4 homes will experience a flood over the course of a 30-year mortgage.

Building Coverage

Single Family Dwelling
$250,000
Other
$250,000
Non-Residential
$500,000


Contents Coverage

Residential
$100,000
Non-Residential
$500,000