Will an Elevation Certificate Lower My Flood Insurance?
Issued by the National Flood Insurance Program, elevation certificates provide several pieces of information that homeowners insurance companies will use to determine your rates. You will need this certificate to obtain flood insurance for your home. That said, flood insurance isn’t required for all properties, and is most often needed in areas with high flood risks. Even if the flood risks are minimal in your area, it may still be a good idea to purchase some form of flood insurance.
The process for obtaining an elevation certificate can be pretty straightforward, depending on where you live. Those living in Guadalupe County, TX can receive their elevation certificate by contacting a local land surveyor. It’s important to understand that a land survey and an elevation certificate aren’t the same.
Information included on an elevation certificate
There is plenty of useful information featured on an elevation certificate, including your property’s flood zone as well as its lowest floor’s elevation. Certain characteristics about your property will be featured on the elevation certificate as well. This could include information about an attached garage or similar structures on your property.
An elevation certificate also features information on how high above the base flood elevation your home is located. The base flood elevation of a property is the point floodwaters shouldn’t exceed in a given year.
How an elevation certificate can dictate flood insurance rates
An elevation certificate will be used by insurance companies to determine your flood insurance rates. The base flood elevation more specifically determines how high your rates will be. If your base flood elevation is high, then you can expect flood insurance rates to be lower. This is because your home has less risk for property damage than homes with lower base flood elevation levels.
Even if you do have a property with a lower base flood elevation level, however, it’s still possible to find affordable flood insurance.
Are elevation certificates required?
While it’s usually a good idea to obtain an elevation certificate, they’re not always required. There are certain characteristics about a property that will determine if an elevation certificate is required or not. Properties located in a “Special Flood Hazard Area,” for example, will require an elevation certificate to receive flood insurance. Properties receiving financing from a federally regulated/insured lender will also require an elevation certificate.
Obtaining an elevation certificate
The method of receiving your elevation certificate can vary depending on where you live. Working with a local land surveyor will usually be your best bet. The price of an elevation certificate can vary depending on many different factors, including the location of your property.
Some properties already have an elevation certificate on file before you buy them. Be sure to check on this before applying for another elevation certificate. Your seller or a local floodplain manager can usually let you know if there’s already an elevation certificate for your property.
If you’re looking for a quick and efficient land surveyor in Guadalupe County, TX for help with an elevation certificate, contact Bettersworth & Associates, Inc. today!
Categorised in: Flood Survey