City News Blog: Updates to the National Flood Insurance Program Make Flood Insurance More Accessible in Florida

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | FEMA, which administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), announced program updates that were created to help enhance access to flood insurance. These changes make it easier for homeowners and renters to select and pay for a flood insurance policy.

Getting a Flood Insurance Quote

It is now easier than ever for those interested in NFIP flood insurance policies to learn about the options available to them. The new Direct to Customer (D2C) Quoting Tool allows users to get a personalized quote based on their home address and the coverage and deductible choices that work best for them. The tool then connects users to three insurance agents that sell flood insurance locally. Users can then share their quote with an insurance agent, or they can download, print or email it to themselves.

Paying for a Flood Insurance Policy

FEMA will soon allow NFIP policyholders - both new customers at the time of application and existing customers at the time of renewal – to pay their flood insurance premiums in monthly installments rather than one upfront annual payment. This move will help reduce barriers to purchasing flood insurance.

Installment plans will be offered to all new and existing policyholders who are not required to escrow their premiums. To be eligible to participate in a monthly installment payment plan, policyholders will need to opt in to authorize automatic, electronic payments (e.g., via a credit card or bank account) through their insurer. Paying in installments does not change the policy term, just the payment terms. FEMA is working with all NFIP insurers to offer this new payment option as soon as possible. Learn more: Installment Plan FAQs | FEMA.gov

For the latest information about Hurricane Milton recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4834. For Hurricane Helene recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4828. For Hurricane Debby, visit fema.gov/disaster/4806. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters.

FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished equitably, without discrimination

on the grounds of race, color, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English

proficiency, or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the FEMA

Office of Civil Rights if they feel that they have a complaint of discrimination. FEMA’s Office of Civil

Rights can be contacted at FEMA-OCR@fema.dhs.gov or toll-free at 833-285-7448.

 

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