If you live in a high-risk flood zone, you’ve probably heard of a flood elevation certificate. Chances are you’ve been told getting a flood elevation certificate is necessary for getting an accurate flood insurance quote. While this is true for many families living in flood-prone areas and many insurers who offer flood insurance, it may not always be the case. In fact, thanks to newer technology, it can be possible to get flood insurance without a flood elevation certificate – even in high risk zones. 

What is a Flood Elevation Certificate?

A flood elevation certificate documents your home’s elevation, relative to the base flood elevation of the area you live in. It helps show how your home’s elevation compares to the estimated height floodwaters could reach in a major flood in your area. If your home is not elevated, this could mean lots of water inside your home – which could mean costly damages to repair in the event of a flood!

Insurance agents and companies use this information to determine your risk and when calculating your flood insurance premiums. Typically, the higher your home’s elevation above the base flood elevation, the less risk you’ll have of flooding and therefore, the lower your flood insurance premium. However, the higher your flooding risk, the higher premium will likely be.

How to Get a Flood Elevation Certificate

You may be able to get a copy of your home’s Flood Elevation Certificate from the previous owners of your home or from your city or town, if they have one on file for your property.

If you are unable to find the Elevation Certificate for your home, you may need to get a new one. The process usually includes contracting a state-licensed surveyor, architect or engineer to do an Elevation Certificate. The cost of the job will depend on your location, the complexity of the job and other factors, but usually range from $500 to $2,000 (or more). Like shopping for insurance, it’s wise to get a few quotes from different contractors and compare pricing carefully.

If you make any changes or renovations to your home, you’ll likely need to get a new Flood Elevation Certificate, so that the new parts of your home are accounted for when it comes to your flood risk.

Learn more about how to get a flood elevation certificate here.

Do You Need a Flood Elevation Certificate?

If you live in a high-risk flood zone, the answer is usually yes, you need a Flood Elevation Certificate for your home. Particularly in high-risk areas, a flood elevation certificate helps insurance companies more accurately assess your risk of flood.

Your options for flood insurance may be limited without a Flood Elevation Certificate, but some private insurance carriers will write flood insurance without a Flood Elevation Certificate. While many people across the country get public flood insurance through the NFIP program, private insurers can offer options for homeowners who don’t have a Flood Elevation Certificate.

Take Neptune Flood, for example. A newer flood insurer, Neptune uses LiDAR technology for more accurate digital land surveys, eliminating the need for a Flood Elevation Certificate. Satellite technology allows Neptune to digitally survey the surface of the Earth to make accurate elevation measurements. While other insurers may place you in a high-risk area, Neptune’s data may not – which can save you money on your flood insurance. Pretty neat!

Get a quote with Neptune and InsuraMatch online in under a minute! Please note, Neptune does not write flood insurance online in all states.

How to Get Flood Insurance Without a Flood Elevation Certificate

Getting flood insurance without a Flood Elevation Certificate depends on both where you live and what flood insurance carriers are available in your area. It may not be possible for you to get a policy without one, but for many people across the country there are options.

The best way to find flood insurance without a Flood Elevation Certificate is to consult a licensed flood insurance agent to see if they work with any companies that don’t rely on a certificate to price out flood risk. Another benefit of working with an independent flood insurance agent is that they can help walk you through the insurance process and feel more confident in the coverage you choose.

Learn more about working with an independent insurance agency here.

If you live in Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia or Washington, you can give one of our expert insurance advisors a call for a quote with Neptune, which often does not require a Flood Elevation Certificate. Give us a call today at (844) 819-2230 for a quote.

If the home you’re looking to insure is in Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Virginia, you can get a quote within moments online with InsuraMatch and Neptune. Click here to start your quote.

Conclusion

As technology improves, the way we shop for insurance is changing. Thanks to newer technology, it is possible for many shoppers to find flood insurance without a Flood Elevation Certificate. We recommend working with a trusted insurance agent to review the options available to you and get expert advice on finding a flood insurance policy that meets your needs, whether that means you need a Flood Elevation Certificate or not.

Compare flood insurance quotes with one of our expert insurance advisors at (844) 819-2230 today.

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