30 Northern California Communities Given Discount Rates For Flood Insurance
Release Date: December 10, 1999
Release Number: R9-99-23
» 1999 Region IX News Releases
San Francisco, Calif. -- People living in several Northern California communities are paying less for flood insurance, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Thirty cities and counties have been given a Class 6, 7, 8 or 9 community rating in the FEMA-administered National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). As a result, policyholders in high-risk areas will save 5 to 20 percent on the annual premium, depending on their community's rating. Policyholders in the lower-risk areas of these communities will receive a 5 percent annual savings. An accompanying chart shows a sampling of dollar savings.
"We applaud these communities," said Martha Whetstone, regional director of FEMA Region IX. "Thanks to the commitment of local floodplain managers, two major advantages are realized. First is the long-term benefit to the communities, in reducing future flood losses. Second is the annual financial benefit to residents, in lower insurance premium rates."
The rating system is limited to those communities that exceed minimum NFIP floodplain management standards. Credit points are assigned to a community's efforts in areas such as public information, mapping and regulation, damage reduction, and flood preparedness. A classification is then assigned, based upon the credit points. The classification determines the discount for policyholders, and discounts of up to 45% are possible.
"Of course, it doesn't matter whether your flood risk is high, medium or low," added Whetstone. "Getting flood insurance is the smart thing to do. Between 25 and 30 percent of all flood insurance claims are paid to people living outside of the high-risk areas. And now - before the rainy season - is the best time to buy insurance, so that you're not caught without coverage when a flood threatens your home or business."
NFIP policies are available through private insurance companies and agents. There is usually a 30-day waiting period before coverage goes into effect.
COMMUNITY RATINGS
NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
Class 6
Milpitas
Petaluma
Roseville
Sacramento
Sacramento County
Class 7
Contra Costa County
Fresno
Fresno County
Monterey County
Redding
San Joaquin County
Class 8
Alameda County
Lake County
Los Altos
Novato
Palo Alto
Placer County
Pleasanton
San Jose
San Ramon
Santa Cruz
Solano County
Stockton
Sunnyvale
Walnut Creek
Watsonville
Class 9
Fairfield
Richmond
Salinas
Vacaville
(Except where noted as "County," all communities listed above are incorporated cities.)
Annual Discount Examples
(Based on a single-family, one-story home without a basement, for $100,000 of coverage)
In high-risk areas (Flood Zones A, AE, A1-A30, V, V1-V30, AO, and AH):
Class
Annual premium discount
Dollar Savings
6
20%
$52-103
7
15%
$44-77
8
10%
$32-52
9
5%
$15-26
In lower-risk areas with lower-cost policies
(Flood Zones B, C, X, D, A99, and AR, AR/A, AR/AE, AR/A1-A30, AR/AH, AR/AO):
Class
Annual premium discount
Dollar Savings
1 through 9
5%
$12
Last Modified: Wednesday, 14-Jan-2004 10:10:32
