Flood Insurance

Flooding is a serious risk in Florida due to the state’s geography, the frequency of storms, and proximity to water, both inland and on the coast. Insurance to cover this risk is not typically provided in a homeowner’s policy, so it must be purchased separately. Depending on a home’s location, flood insurance may be a required purchase as a condition of a mortgage.

A vast majority of flood insurance coverage is federally regulated and provided through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). To qualify for flood insurance, a community must join the NFIP and agree to enforce sound floodplain management standards. When this happens, the residents in that community are allowed to participate in and purchase flood insurance coverage through the NFIP. The NFIP Write Your Own (WYO) Program allows participating property and casualty insurance companies to write and service the Standard Flood Insurance Policy in their own names. Learn more here.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has worked to expand Florida’s private flood insurance market, providing for more consumer choice and competition in the marketplace. Insurance companies writing in the private flood insurance market are currently writing primary or excess flood insurance outside of the NFIP. Some of these companies write only a limited number of policies or only certain types of flood policies, such as for high value homes. The coverage can be written as a stand-alone flood policy or as an endorsement onto a homeowner’s policy.

Becoming a Flood Insurance Writer in Florida

OIR provides resources to insurers looking to become a flood insurance writer in Florida. More information for insurers can be found in the link below.

2019 OIR Summit Leadership Panel: Flood Insurance

Watch the video (starts at 58:17 minute mark)

Additional Flood Insurance Resources and Contacts:

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
1-888-FLOOD29 or 1-888-356-6329
www.floodsmart.gov

Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Consumer Services
1-877-693-5236 (toll-free in Florida)
1-850-413-3089 (outside of Florida)
www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/Consumers/