Flood Insurance and FEMA Floodplain Maps

What is Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance is a type of insurance coverage that specifically protects against property damage and financial losses caused by flooding. It provides compensation for repairs, replacement, or reimbursement for the insured property and its contents in the event of a flood-related incident.

In 1968 the National Flood Insurance Act was passes, and 1973 the Flood Disaster Protection Act was passed. These acts, allows the mortgage lender to force flood insurance if you are in or near flood zones. (More on this later)

Most standard homeowners or renters insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Therefore, if you live in an area prone to flooding or if you have a mortgage on a property located in a designated flood zone, your lender may require you to purchase flood insurance.

Flood insurance is typically offered through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in the United States. The NFIP is a federal program managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). However, private insurers may also offer flood insurance policies in some cases.

It’s essential to understand the flood risk in your area, which can be determined by flood zone maps provided by FEMA. The cost of flood insurance premiums depends on various factors, including the property’s location, its elevation in relation to flood zones, and the coverage limits selected.

Note: Sometimes your property may have varying elevations. Your house may not require flood insurance, but a detached garage, pole barn, or other structure may be required to have flood insurance.

How can I exclude my property from required Flood Insurance?

An experienced surveyor that specializes in FEMA flood mapping and how to exclude properties will be able to give you an idea of what may be required. Keep in mind, that sometimes flood mapping may be a generalization, and may have not been “Studied”.

Excluding your home from requiring flood insurance can be a complex process and may vary depending on your specific situation and location. Here are some general steps to consider:

1. Understand the flood risk: Start by understanding the flood risk associated with your property. Review flood zone maps provided by FEMA or consult with local authorities to determine if your home is located in a high-risk flood zone.
2. Obtain an elevation certificate: An elevation certificate is a document that provides information about your property’s elevation in relation to the base flood elevation (BFE). It includes details such as the building’s elevation, the elevation of the lowest floor, and other relevant information.
3. Assess the BFE requirements: Determine if your property meets the requirements set by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to be exempt from mandatory flood insurance. In some cases, if your home is located in a high-risk flood zone and the lowest floor is at or above the BFE, you may be eligible for an exemption. However, specific requirements vary by jurisdiction, so it’s crucial to check with local authorities or your insurance provider for the exact criteria.
4. Apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA): A LOMA is a request to FEMA to amend the flood zone designation for your property. If your property is determined to be at a higher elevation than the BFE or if it is incorrectly designated within a flood zone, you can submit a LOMA application to have it removed from the high-risk flood zone. The application typically requires submitting the elevation certificate and other supporting documentation. FEMA will review the application and issue a decision.

Remember, the process of excluding your home from requiring flood insurance can be complex, and the outcome depends on various factors, including your property’s location, elevation, and local regulations. It’s essential to consult with land surveyors who specializes in this area and knows the process and who can provide expert advice based on your specific circumstances and help you navigate through the process.

If a future sale of property is being considered, start early. Typical time in 2023 to have a professional study completed will take approximately 6 weeks on average.

Should I be worried about FEMA establishing NEW Flood Mapping?

Possibly. New flood mapping may eliminate existing (Letter Of Map Amendment) or LOMA, and exclusions to flood maps. Grandfathering is generally not applicable in this situation. So if you are on the border of a required flood zone that requires flood insurance, you may want to get started right away, especially if an entire area is being remapped, this may cause increased demand and waiting times for the surveyor to get their job done.

If you get your property removed from previous floodplain mapping and were previously paying flood insurance, ask your insurance agent if you can get a flood insurance refund. Some have received up to 1 year refund on their flood insurance when they successfully removed their property from the insurance requirement.

Flood Map Resources

Address Lookup: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home

Detailed FEMA Flood Mapping Click Here Note: Click upper right hand corner under layers and select LOMA layer to see actual LOMA Letters indicated on the map by a pink dot, however, if the flood mapping layer has been updated to a newer date since the letter date, it could void the letter, or may have to be updated.

Need Help?

If you need help with a required flood insurance area in Michigan, or have questions. Fill out the contact information below, and I can forward to one of my recommended surveyors who is familiar with the area.

Name *

First

Last

Phone Number *

Email *

Comment or Message

Submit