The Community Rating System

In order to obtain flood insurance a community must participate in minimum floodplain management activities that are required by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements.

 

Participation in the CRS results in discounted flood insurance rates for citizens within the community. The discount is given because the community has reduced the flood risk by meeting the three goals of the CRS program.  These goals are to:

 

1. Reduce flood losses;
2. Facilitate accurate insurance rating
3. Promote the awareness of flood insurance

 

Flood insurance premium rates are discounted in increments of 5%.  For example; a Class 1 community would receive a 45% premium discount, while a Class 9 community would receive a 5% discount (a Class 10 is not participating in the CRS and receives no discount). The CRS classes for local communities are based on 18 creditable activities, organized under four categories.

 

1. Public Information
2. Mapping and Regulations
3. Flood Damage Reduction
4. Flood Preparedness

 

The CRS Resource Center is now available.

 

 Polk County homeowners and renters are paying less for flood insurance.   Polk County's current Class 6 Rating has earned policyholders a 20% reduction on flood insurance premiums.  The average savings on a flood insurance policy in the Special Flood Hazard Area is $132 per policy per year.

 

Credit points earned, classification awarded, and premium reductions given for communities in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System.

	Premium Reduction
Credit Points	Class	SFHA	Non-SFHA
4,500+	1	45%	10%
4,000 - 4,499	2	40%	10%
3,500 - 3,999	3	35%	10%
3,000 - 3,499	4	30%	10%
2,500 - 2,999	5	25%	10%
2,000 - 2,499	6	20%	10%
1,500 - 1,999	7	15%	5%>
1,000 - 1,499	8	10%	5%
500 - 999	9	5%	5%
0 - 499	10	0	0