AnĀ elevation certificateĀ is a document prepared by a qualified engineer / surveyor which provides information on:Ā elevationĀ of a building relative toĀ meanĀ high tide. building type. ... additional information used to determine the properĀ floodĀ insurance premium rates for a property.
Download FEMA-HFIAA_ECFActSheet_040715.pdf
AnĀ Elevation CertificateĀ is a form developed by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and used as an official record of theĀ elevationsĀ of a building. The form must be completed by a professional engineer or landĀ surveyor.
Elevation Certificate Required for Flood Insurance Quote
As stated above, your mortgage company may be required to ask you to purchase flood insurance.Ā Of course, they would want you to do so because they are protected also.
You should also know that the mortgage lender may also require flood insurance even if it is determined you donāt need it. This is their prerogative.
Again, the rates should be rather low in this case, but there are some costs nonetheless. Now that you know a little about the overall situation, how does this affect you directly?
If you are currently shown to be in or near a flood hazard zone, or if youāre going to be in or near a flood hazard on the proposed maps, NOW is the time to act.Ā The following are the possible situations in which you may find yourself:
1.Ā Out of the flood hazard zoneĀ completely on the old and new maps.Ā This is great.Ā In this case there is no requirement for the purchase of flood insurance.
But, as we said below, if there is ANY risk you might want to consider it. An evaluation of your risk is quick and easy.
2.Ā Your lot is currently or proposed to be shown in the flood hazard zoneĀ as specified on the maps or theĀ elevation certificate. This puts you under the requirement for flood insurance.Ā Your situation may now be one of the following:
a.Ā Your lot is āinā the flood hazard zone but the lowest adjacent grade (LAG) around your house is āoutā or above the base flood elevation (BFE).
In this situation, it is possible that the flood insurance requirement may be removed.Ā This process is called a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA).
b.Ā Your lowest adjacent grade (LAG) is below the BFE but the lowest finished floor elevation (FFE) is above the BFE. In this case you need to purchase flood insurance.Ā AnĀ Elevation CertificateĀ is necessary as a way to determine your premium rate.
c.Ā Your lowest finished floor elevation (FFE) is below the BFE. This case is similar to 2.b. above but the flood risk is higher.Ā Again, get anĀ elevation certificateĀ to determine your premium rate.
If youāre in situation 2 above, the first step is to get a flood elevation surveyĀ and elevation certificate.Ā This process is done by a licensed land surveyor who will measure the elevation of your finished floor elevation and the lowest adjacent grade to determine your location relative to the flood hazard zone.
This process will produce anĀ Elevation CertificateĀ that can be used to either complete the LOMA process or allow your insurance agent to set the flood insurance premium rate.
For more specific information about the National Flood Insurance Program, flood surveys, and Elevation Certificates, see the web atĀ floodsmart.gov.Ā To review FEMAās Flood Maps in your area, go toĀ FEMA Map Service Center.
Thoughts
The Elevation Certificate is an important administrative tool of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It is to be used to provide elevation information necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordinances, to determine the proper insurance premium rate, and to support a request for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision based on fill (LOMR-F). The Elevation Certificate is required in order to properly rate post-FIRM buildings.Ā A new Elevation Certificate form was released 12/2012. It contains minor changes in the building diagrams and information presentation. Elevation Certificates after this date should use this new form.The Elevation Certificate is an important administrative tool of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It is to be used to provide elevation information necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordinances, to determine the proper insurance premium rate, and to support a request for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision based on fill (LOMR-F). The Elevation Certificate is required in order to properly rate post-FIRM buildings.Ā A new Elevation Certificate form was released 12/2012. It contains minor changes in the building diagrams and information presentation. Elevation Certificates after this date should use this new form.
Nice job on this term!
Nice job!