If a lending institution is federally regulated or making federally-backed loans, it must review the NFIP maps to determine if the building is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area. The SFHA is the area that is expected to be inundated by a 1 percent annual chance flood.

If the bank makes such a determination, it must require the borrower to purchase flood insurance.Please note these determinations are purely in/out and do not involve the vertical elevation of the structure.

If you disagree with the lending institution's determination, you may request that FEMA review the lender's determination.

• FEMA will then review the information that the lending institution used and issue a letter that states whether we agree with the determination.

• Your request must be postmarked no later than 45 days after the lending institution notifies you of the flood insurance requirement and the submittal must be complete.

• The request must include all of the information and fees listed in the Letter of Determination Review (LODR) information sheet.

• If your request is postmarked after the 45-day limit has expired, or if we do not receive all of the information within the 45-day limit, we will not be able to review the determination and the flood insurance requirement stands.

FEMA's responses to these requests are called LODRs, and offer two basic dispositions: (1) the lender's determination stands or (2) it is overturned.

• FEMA's determination is based on the technical data submitted. If the lender's evidence is inconclusive or the request is incomplete FEMA can disagree with the lender's determination.

• FEMA's response does not amend or revise the NFIP map for your community. It only states that FEMA agrees or disagrees with your lender's determination.

Occasionally a lending institution may require insurance if it determines that a part of your lot is in the SFHA. The NFIP does not insure land. However, even if you submit evidence that your building is out of the floodplain, the bank may still decide to require insurance on your building.

Yes, you can purchase contents only flood insurance at a low premium.

I live in a condo and I am on the third flood, what should I know about  flood insurance?

Click here for details about FEMA condo coverage.

What are the maximum amounts of flood insurance coverage available?

Click here to view FEMA Condo coverage details.

Under the NFIP, a homeowner can buy up to $250,000 of coverage for the structure and, for homeowners and renters alike, up to an additional $100,000 for contents. Commercial buildings can be insured for up to $500,000 and business contents can be covered for up to $500,000. For those who need higher policy limits, private insurers may offer policies with high deductibles that are intended to use an NFIP policy to satisfy deductibles.

What was decided above insurance coverage for flood and wind-driven rain after Hurricane Katrina

Click here to view FEMA information

What is Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC)?

Click here to view FEMA information

Is there much of a cost savings on flood insurance if the lowest floor of a post-FIRM (constructed after Dec. 31, 1974) is one foot above the BFE (Base Flood Elevation) instead of at the BFE? 

Yes. For example the rate for the first layer of building coverage in an AE Zone goes from $.45/$100 coverage to $.26, a savings of over 40 percent.

I heard that the FEMA FIRM Maps are changing (map modernization) and I can get grandfathered in at a lower flood insurance premium if I buy before they are adopted?

Click here to view FEMA information

Can I wait and buy a flood insurance policy after I hear the National Weather Service issue a flood warning? 

No. There is a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect.

What programs are likely to require a flood insurance policy as a condition of financial assistance? 

The Department of Veterans Affairs mortgage loan guarantees, HUD Community Development Block Grants, Federal Disaster Assistance and Home Improvement Loans from a bank participating in FDIC.