California Surveyors Forums

recently a client of mine was told by FEMA, to pay $5000 / year for flood insurance.

The client was first told to obtain an Elevation Cert, and after that, the flood insurance would probably be reduced from his $1300 / year fee.

My client is going nuts... and I cant figure this one out. The structure is just 2.1 feet under the BFE.

I don't get involved with flood rates, however, it has been pretty standard for a clients rates to be reduced following a Cert. (unless they have a basement)

Has anyone else experienced this sudden increase ?

foot note:
Often times, homes in the flood plane, are not upscale. with this increase in rates, ($416.66 / month) Owners are walking away from these homes further adding to foreclosures.

I also might add . . .flood mitigation measures , . , Levees, open channels etc, are being ignored by FEMA.

any input will be great . .
thanks

The BFE's were raised 3 feet from the old maps to the new.

'88 datum has been used for a while now. I get "smart" clients who get very confused. Even had one guy convince his insurance that his '88 datum FF should be used in a '29 datum cert. . . . . good thing i keep an ample dadt base of records.

The trouble is, is that rates are being RAISED for anyone under the bfe. No mitigations are being accepted.

UPDATE:

FEMA rep, says that rates are solely the responsibility of the insurance carrier. He fears this "Carrier" is just trying to take advantage.

Current flood maps were created on "available data". They were hap hazzardly "thrown together" under pressure of the FEDS following Katrina.
I've seen many many BFE lines that cross contour lines . . . Crazy stuff.

FEMA needs to take a step back and straighten out this mess. It looks like they employed Elementary school children with crayons.

Our tax dollars at work. . . . sad

Just to add to "Good"'s experience, the current FEMA maps in the area he works in are particularly bad. Several homeowners in the area are being hit with massive bills as a result of the BFE changes, and as he mentioned, the homeowners can ill-afford even the fees of the Certification; even considering the rock-bottom prices many of us are having to charge right now.

If your client has had continous coverage, they may be able to grandfather their rate.
See attached from FEMA, may or may not be applicable to your situation.
This will be one of the topics at the Santa Clara/San Mateo Chapter Seminar on October 29 in Milpitas

Thanks for the input !!!

The home owner has contacted a FEMA liason who is working with the insurance agent and the FEMA "dude"

I havent heard anything but when I do I'll pass info along.

Thanks for the info again