National Flood Insurance Program

How the NFIP Works

Emergency Program of the NFIP

1. Community applies for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) either (a) as a result of interest in eligibility for flood insurance, or (b) as a result of receiving notification from
FEMA that it contains one or more Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). Application includes adopted resolutions or ordinances to minimally regulate new construction in SFHAs.

2. FEMA authorizes the sale of flood insurance in the community up to the Emergency Program limits. FEMA assesses the community’s degree of flood risk and development potential, and if appropriate...

3. Arranges for a study of the community to determine base flood elevations and flood risk zones. Consultation with the community occurs at the start of and during the study. Communities with minimal flood risk are converted to the Regular Program (next page) without a study.

4. FEMA provides the studied community with a Flood Insurance Rate Map delineating base flood elevations and flood risk zones. The community is given 6 months to adopt base flood elevations in its local zoning and building code ordinances, and to meet other requirements.

5. Community adopts more stringent ordinances, and FEMA converts the community to the NFIP’s Regular Program.

Note: Conversions generally occur within 6 months.
Emergency Program 
Flood Insurance Coverages

Building Coverage
Single Family	 $  35,000
2-4 Family	$  35,000
Other Residential 	 $100,000
Non-Residential/Small Business	 $100,000

Contents Coverage
Residential 	 $  10,000
Non-Residential/Small Business	 $100,000

Regular Program of the NFIP

1. FEMA authorizes the sale of additional flood insurance in the community up to the Regular Program limits.

2. Community implements adopted floodplain management measures.

3. FEMA arranges for periodic community assistance visits with local officials to provide technical assistance regarding complying with NFIP floodplain management requirements.

4. Local officials may request flood map updates as needed. FEMA evaluates requests, encourages cost-sharing, and issues revised maps as priorities dictate.

	Regular Program
Flood Insurance Coverages

	Basic	Additional	Total
	Insurance	Insurance	Insurance
	Limits	Limits	Available
Building Coverage
Single Family	$  50,000  /   $200,000	        $250,000
2-4 Family	$  50,000  /   $200,000	        $250,000
Other Residential	$150,000  /   $100,000	        $250,000
Non-Residential/Small Business	$150,000  /   $350,000	        $500,000

Contents Coverage
Residential	$  20,000  /   $  80,000	        $100,000
Non-Residential/Small Business	$130,000  /   $370,000	        $500,000

Notes:  The purchase of flood insurance is mandatory as a condition of receipt of federal or federally-related financial assistance for acquisition and/or construction of buildings in SFHAs of any participating community. Those communities notified as flood-prone which do not apply for participation in the NFIP within 1 year of notification are ineligible for federal or federally-related financial assistance for acquisition, construction, or reconstruction of insurable buildings in the SFHA. Conventional loans for these purposes are available in the SFHA of nonparticipating communities at the lender’s discretion.

NFIP:	National Flood Insurance Program
SFHA:	Special Flood Hazard Area
FEMA:	Federal Emergency Management Agency

For more information about the 
NFIP and flood insurance, call   
1-800-427-4661, 
or contact your 
insurance company or agent.

For an agent referral, call  
1-888-435-6637
TDD 1-800-427-5593
http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip 
http://www.floodsmart.gov


F-025  	(06/07)