How to Buy National Flood Insurance

Visit the FEMA website and click on the flood insurance link on the right-hand side. Read the section on "General Flood Information." You will learn how to identify different types of floods, how to respond to floods and how to access FEMA flood plain maps.

Find the "Solutions" heading on the right of the general flood information page and click on "Buy Flood Insurance." This will take you to the FloodSmart website of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) where you will see five steps toward pursuing flood insurance.

Educate yourself under "Learn the Basics." In the event of a flood, the consequences can either be the unpredictable response of national disaster assistance, or the planned approach of proactive flood insurance coverage. Find out about the benefits of flood insurance, as well as important questions to ask your Realtor, landlord and insurance agent.

Select "What's Your Flood Risk?" Enter your property address and get an estimated flood risk assessment. You will find a more specific description of what your flood risk rating means. Click on "Map Service Center" to access flood plain maps for your address, or order them by calling (800)358-9616.

Choose your computer's "Back" arrow to return to the FloodSmart website. Activate the "NFIP in Your Community" link. Learn how important it is that your community become involved in the National Flood Insurance Program. Check in your state's NFIP Community Status Book to see if your community participates in the program. You can also contact your city or county government offices. Learn also about the Community Rating System (CRS) that is based on the degree to which a community aligns itself with NFIP standards. Your community's CRS rating can result in a substantial discount in your flood insurance premiums.

Go to "Estimate Your Premium." Enter your risk level profile, whether flood insurance is already filed on your property and your property type. Hit "Submit" and take a look at the chart of premium estimates. If you live in a low risk area, annual premiums may be very minimal.

Finalize your flood insurance search by clicking on "Find an Agent." Enter your address and hit "Search." The system will display a long list of insurance agents, contact information and their agencies, beginning with the closest one to your address. You may also ask your own homeowners insurance company if they offer flood insurance. NFIP can also provide a list of "Write Your Own" insurance companies that provide flood policies in cooperation with the federal government. Call NFIP at (888)724-6924 for any assistance you may need. Compare several providers before purchasing a policy. From this page you can print a list of questions to ask each agent to aid in the comparison of plans.