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         U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Federal Emergency Management Agency - National Flood Insurance Program

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      Buying a Policy
          
                                	
			      Buying a Policy
        
    
              Why Buy Flood Insurance
              Am I Required to Have Flood Insurance?
              What’s Covered
              Types of Flood Insurance
              How to Buy Flood Insurance
              Find an Insurance Provider
              Renewing a Policy
          
                                	
			      Renewing a Policy
        
    
              Why Should I Renew My Policy?
              How to Renew Your Policy
              Flood Risks and Costs
          
                                	
			      Flood Risks and Costs
        
    
              Cost of Flooding
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              Before and After a Flood
          
                                	
			      Before and After a Flood
        
    
              Steps to Prepare for Flooding
              How Do I Start My Flood Claim?
              Document Damage and Start Clean Up
              Disaster Response
              Appeal Your Flood Claim
              Understanding Coverage Decisions
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              Elevation Certificates Information for new policyholders
  Congratulations on purchasing a flood insurance policy. You’ve taken an important step to protect the life you’ve built.

Each year that you renew your policy, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will send you a flood insurance information packet. The materials in the packet are intended to help you better understand the value of flood insurance and what your policy covers. This packet is required by law.

The NFIP Flood Insurance Claims Handbook, included in the packet, is an especially valuable resource providing tips about:

precautions to take before a flood,
	recovery measures to take after a flood, and
	how to file a claim.Questions about your policy?
              What’s included in your flood insurance coverage
      In the event of a flood, your policy will cover direct physical losses to your structure and belongings. That includes your electrical and plumbing systems, furnaces and water heaters, electronics, appliances, and more.

Learn more about what’s covered under your flood insurance policy.

				 
  How to renew your policy each year
      You will need to renew your policy each year. Flood insurance does not renew automatically. Your flood information packet will include information on when to renew and how to contact your insurance agent.

Learn more about how to renew your policy.

				 
  Reviewing the acknowledgement of receipt form
      The purpose of the form is to let policyholders know that the information in the packet is important and should be reviewed and retained. When completed and returned, the form helps the NFIP make sure that the packet reached the policyholder.

Two copies of the form are enclosed in the packet. One is to be returned in the prepaid envelope provided; the other is for you to save for your records.

**The Flood Insurance Reform Act (FIRA 2004) does not require that the form be returned,** and there are no consequences if you choose not to return the form. Only one policyholder needs to sign the form, even if the NFIP policy is issued in the names of more than one person.

				 
  How to update information in your policyholder information packet
      If there is an error or update in your name, mailing address, property address, policy number, or insurance carrier’s name, **notify your insurance agent right away**. Your insurance company must change this type of information.

If there is an error in company or policy number or on the property loss history page, or you do not recognize one or more of the losses listed on that page, contact the NFIP Help Center.

				 
  Can I opt out of receiving this packet in the future?
      FIRA 2004 requires FEMA, the Agency that oversees the NFIP, to mail the packet once each year to every party that has initially purchased or renewed a flood insurance policy during the current “rolling” 12-month period.

The law does not provide for excluding active policyholders from mailings.

				 
  My neighbor received a flood insurance information packet, but I did not.
      The information packet is mailed only to current policyholders after their annual policy information has been processed and provided to FEMA. Because of this, you will receive the information packet relative to your policy effective date.

If you think you should have received an information packet, contact the NFIP Help Center.

				 
  What you can learn from the NFIP Claims Handbook
      The NFIP suggests that you take steps now, before the waters are rising, that will make your life easier when a flood occurs.

The Claims Handbook outlines what to do before a flood and offers tips about documentation that will make filing your claim easier. This handbook can also help you through the process of filing a claim and appealing the decision on your claim.





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