The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) allows homeowners, business owners, and renters, in communities that participate, to buy federally backed flood insurance. This insurance offers help with costs to repair flood damage to buildings and contents.

Federal flood insurance is not a disaster assistance program. This program is meant to help property owners recover more quickly for less cost.

Different forms of disaster assistance require that you have and keep flood insurance for certain periods of time to qualify. You need to learn the specific requirements for each program.

Flood insurance, like other property coverage, is written by licensed insurance agents. Your homeowner’s or property insurance agent should be able to help you learn what you qualify for and your coverage options.

Your community maintains a collection of Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) you can view to see if your property is located in a high-risk or a moderate- to low-risk zone. You can also find them using the FEMA Map Service Center.

Flood insurance is available to property owners and renters, even if you’ve had a claim before. But you must live in a participating community.

Flood insurance payments do not have to be repaid.

To learn more about your flood risk and flood insurance options, or to locate an agent:

• Call 1-888-724-6353, or
• Visit FloodSmart.gov.