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. 

3. If appropriate, FEMA 
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 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 six 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 Regular Program. 
Note: Conversions generally occur within 
six months. 

Emergency Program Flood Insurance Coverages 

Building Coverage 
Single Family $ 35,000* 
Two-to-Four Family $ 35,000* 
Other Residential $100,000** 
Non-Residential/Small Business $100,000** 

Contents Coverage 
Residential $ 10,000 
Non-Residential/Small Business $100,000 
*In Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the US Virgin Islands, the amount is $50,000 
**In Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the US Virgin Islands, the amount is $150,000 




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 to provide 
technical assistance in 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 Insurance Limits	Additional Insurance Limits	Total Insurance Available 
Building Coverage 
Single Family $ 60,000 / $190,000 $250,000 
Two-to-Four Family $ 60,000 / $190,000 $250,000 
Other Residential $175,000 / $ 75,000 $250,000 
Non-Residential/Small Business $175,000 / $325,000 $500,000 

Contents Coverage 
Residential $ 25,000 / $ 75,000 $100,000 
Non-Residential/Small Business $150,000 / $350,000 $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 one 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 
National Flood Insurance Program 
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 

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