National Flood Insurance Program

How the NFIP Works

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 (2/10)
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

Flood Insurance Coverages

Basic Additional Total

Insurance Insurance Insurance

Limits Limits 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

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.

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.

Emergency Program of the NFIP