Insurance & Mitigation

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The Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA) manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a range of mitigation programs designed to reduce future losses to homes, businesses, schools, public buildings, and critical facilities from floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. 

Additionally, FIMA manages the Agency’s Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) efforts. The FEMA EHP program integrates the stewardship of environmental, historic, and cultural resources into FEMA's activities and ensures that agency actions and programs comply with federal EHP laws and executive orders. 

Learn more about FIMA programs. Information regarding FIMA’s policies and doctrine are highlighted below under the following topical areas.  If you cannot find the document you are looking for, please go to FEMA’s document library and enter the key search terms and choose “policy” and/or “doctrine” from the subject field and applicable insurance and mitigation areas under the program field.

Building Science

The Building Science Branch is a technical services bureau made up of highly skilled subject matter experts. The branch develops and produces technical guidance and tools focused on fostering a disaster resilient built environment. Recent policies guiding FIMA’s programs include the following:

  • Floodplain Management Bulletin on Historic Structures
  • Local Officials Guide for Coastal Construction: Design Considerations, Regulatory Guidance, and Best Practices for Coastal Communities
  • Natural Hazards and Sustainability for Residential Buildings
  • Wind Retrofit Guide for Residential Buildings
  • Homeowner's Guide to Retrofitting Second Edition
  • Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage Desk Reference

If you cannot find the document you are looking for, please go to FEMA’s document library and enter the key search terms and choose “policy” and/or “doctrine” from the subject field and applicable insurance and mitigation areas under the program field.

Flood Insurance

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a federal program enabling property owners in participating communities to purchase insurance protection against losses from flooding. This insurance covers the costs of repairing flood damage to buildings and their contents, and is a smart alternative to federal disaster assistance loans, which flood survivors must repay with interest. Communities that participate in the NFIP adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations that reduce future flood damage to new and improved structures. More information regarding NFIP programs can be found at the NFIP webpage and FloodSmart.gov. Recent policies guiding the NFIP programs include the following:

Policies & Guidance

If you cannot find the document you are looking for, please go to FEMA’s document library and enter the key search terms and choose “policy” and/or “doctrine” from the subject field and applicable insurance and mitigation areas under the program field.

Floodplain Management

Floodplain management is the operation of a community program of corrective and preventative measures for reducing flood damage. These measures take a variety of forms and generally include requirements for zoning, subdivision or building, and special-purpose floodplain ordinances. Please visit NFIP for more information. Recent policies guiding the NFIP programs include the following:

Policies & Guidance

If you cannot find the document you are looking for, please go to FEMA’s document library and enter the key search terms and choose “policy” and/or “doctrine” from the subject field and applicable insurance and mitigation areas under the program field.

Hazard Mitigation Assistance

The Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs provide funding opportunities for pre- and post-disaster mitigation. While the statutory origins of the programs differ, all share the common goal of reducing the risk of loss of life and property due to natural hazards. Brief descriptions of the HMA grant programs and recent grant guidance can be found below.

  • Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) HMGP assists in implementing long-term hazard mitigation measures following Presidential disaster declarations. Funding is available to implement projects in accordance with State, Tribal, and local priorities.
  • Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) PDM provides funds on an annual basis for hazard mitigation planning and the implementation of mitigation projects prior to a disaster. The goal of the PDM program is to reduce overall risk to the population and structures, while at the same time, also reducing reliance on Federal funding from actual disaster declarations.
  • Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) FMA provides funds on an annual basis so that measures can be taken to reduce or eliminate risk of flood damage to buildings insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
  • Repetitive Flood Claims (RFC) RFC provides funds on an annual basis to reduce the risk of flood damage to individual properties insured under the NFIP that have had one or more claim payments for flood damages. RFC provides up to 100% federal funding for projects in communities that meet the reduced capacity requirements.
  • Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) SRL provides funds on an annual basis to reduce the risk of flood damage to residential structures insured under the NFIP that are qualified as severe repetitive loss structures. SRL provides up to 90% federal funding for eligible projects

If you cannot find the document you are looking for, please go to FEMA’s document library and enter the key search terms and choose “policy” and/or “doctrine” from the subject field and applicable insurance and mitigation areas under the program field.

HMA Grants Guidance

Recent policies guiding the HMA programs include the following:

If you cannot find the document you are looking for, please go to FEMA’s document library and enter the key search terms and choose “policy” and/or “doctrine” from the subject field and applicable insurance and mitigation areas under the program field.

Mitigation Planning

Mitigation Plans form the foundation for a community's long-term strategy to reduce disaster losses and break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. The planning process is as important as the plan itself.  Please visit Mitigation Planning for more information.  Policies guiding Mitigation Planning include the following:

 If you cannot find the document you are looking for, please go to FEMA’s document library and enter the key search terms and choose “policy” and/or “doctrine” from the subject field and applicable insurance and mitigation areas under the program field.

Environmental & Historic Preservation

FEMA’s EHP effort integrates the stewardship of environmental, historic, and cultural resources into FEMA's activities and ensures that agency actions and programs comply with federal EHP laws and executive orders. Please visit FEMA’s EHP program for more information. Recent policies guiding FEMA’s EHP program include the following:

  • EHP-Related Public Assistance Policies

If you cannot find the document you are looking for, please go to FEMA’s document library and enter the key search terms and choose “policy” and/or “doctrine” from the subject field and select historic preservation / environmental under the audience category.

Last Updated: 
04/12/2013 - 17:28
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