Elevation Certificates (ECs) can help your client take steps that reduce flood risk while complying with local floodplain management ordinances, while potentially leading to lower insurance rates and premiums.
Before hiring an engineer or surveyor to perform a flood elevation certificate, check with your local floodplain manager first. Your community may already have an EC template available that you can utilize.
Section A
The initial section of your flood elevation certificate provides a general summary of information about your property and the lowest floor. Usually completed by a professional surveyor, this section should also include details about their license number, seal/stamper seal/stamped seal/stamp number as well as contact info including phone numbers of their business.
This section of your insurance rates is essential, since it serves as the foundation for them. Based on data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that determines flood risks in different locations, flood zones are formed which determine requirements and costs of home and commercial flood insurance in those zones. Therefore, having an accurate elevation certificate is vital in getting affordable flood coverage.
If your building falls within a zone with a 1% annual chance of flooding, its lowest floor elevation will be measured against the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). A higher BFE equals lower risks and consequently cheaper flood insurance premiums; building at least three feet higher may save thousands in premium payments.
If you’re buying a home located in a flood zone, make sure that the previous owners provide you with an elevation certificate (EC). They should have either included it with their deed at closing or can provide copies. Furthermore, any changes that alter its lowest floor elevation require new certification ECs; especially if your community requires flood insurance policies.
Section B
Under the National Flood Insurance Program’s Risk Rating 2.0 pricing approach, elevation certificates are no longer a prerequisite to purchasing flood insurance; however they still play an essential role in informing mitigation actions that reduce flooding risks and can help determine eligibility for Community Rating System discounts.
Building Location and Flood Zone provides your property’s geographic coordinates as well as information regarding which flood zones it falls within, so the NFIP can calculate an accurate flood insurance premium for you.
This section gives the professional land surveyor or engineer an opportunity to include their credentials and contact details, along with stamping a seal and signing the document.
Building Description requires professionals to include details regarding their structure. This may include details like its lowest floor location and any flood openings. Furthermore, this section must identify its construction type (wood frame vs brick) as well as whether or not it is elevated.
Professionals must record the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) of your property in Item B9. Using FIS profiles, FIRM panels or flood data tables they should identify the location and enter an accurate number into Item B9. This data will allow insurers to assess how high your property stands above BFE; which ultimately affects their insurance premium rates.
Under Item C, your professional must provide the square footage of your lowest level home or building to compare against your community’s Base Flood Elevation (BFE), thereby assessing whether flooding could threaten it and ultimately determine your NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Section C
Although an Elevation Certificate is no longer a prerequisite for flood insurance coverage, it remains an invaluable tool that homeowners can use to reduce risk and lower premiums. Completed by professional land surveyors or engineers, an Elevation Certificate reports accurate elevation information about buildings on property.
Flood insurance companies will examine several pieces of information when considering flood claims: the lowest floor level listed in Section C will be compared with the magic number, or BFE listed in box B9. In addition, surveyors typically report on other components like equipment (for instance furnace, water heater and air conditioner levels) located below ground (eg C2e), deck levels below the building (C2f), as well as ground-level information nearing a building (C2g).
Surveyors should include their name, license number, contact information and seal in this section. Furthermore, they will need to select the building diagram that most closely resembles their client’s structure from Item A7’s selection of diagrams.
If the building falls within Zones AO or A (without BFE), then a surveyor will complete Items E1-E5. This includes information regarding the top of the lowest floor, permanent flood openings, attached garage slab, machinery and equipment and specific compliance for Zone AO. Furthermore, they will note whether or not its lowest floor has been enclosed – enclosures increase risk during floods by trapping floodwater within structures, leading to structural damage; for this reason it’s crucial that it remains free and clear of obstacles and openings during any repairs needed due to enclosures that trap floodwater inside when flooding occurs – thus increasing risk and damage during flood events – making sure its lowest floor remains open and without obstacles or obstructions when flooding occurs.
Section D
Insurance agents use the distance between your building’s lowest floor and BFE to assess risk associated with your property. The closer it is, the lower your flood insurance rate will be; that’s why it is always prudent to obtain an elevation certificate prior to making major home renovations that might change its height and therefore affect it.
Item C2 provides surveyors or engineers an opportunity to list their qualifications and provide direct information, including their name, license number, address and signature/stamp of their seal.
If the property falls within Zones AO or A (with a BFE), or within special flood hazard areas (Zones AH, A1-A30, AE,AA,VE Vl-V30 V or V), this section must be completed by a land surveyor, engineer architect or building professional who conducted a property survey. If an alternative datum was used to calculate BFE entered in Item B9 they should also include this information here.
If the property is new construction, builders should have obtained an elevation certificate before beginning work. You may be able to get one directly from them or ask your insurance agent or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will search their database for one in your area. When purchasing new properties you should ask sellers for an elevation certificate to determine what their flood insurance premiums will be. They typically can provide this document at a fee which varies based on where you live. Having one can help prevent costly repairs later and is definitely worthwhile investing in.
Section E
Your property may already possess an elevation certificate if it was constructed within a high risk flood zone. Check with your community’s floodplain management office or previous owners, builders or developers to see if one exists – this may even be included as part of the deed! If not, hire a professional surveyor who will provide this information at a fee.
An EC’s most critical piece of information is its lowest floor height (C2a). This number will be compared with your community’s base flood elevation (BFE). Furthermore, an EC will include machinery and equipment like elevators, furnaces, water heaters, heat pumps, and air conditioners; insurers consider these platforms when calculating flood insurance premiums.
Another unique section of the EC is Section H, which collects height information on all building types for all first floors. This new feature stems from Risk Rating 2.0’s system of setting premiums based on relative height differences between ground and structures (and other factors).
ECs still play an essential role in informing mitigation measures designed to lower flood risk and may determine eligibility for Community Rating System discounts, while serving as evidence of compliance with FEMA’s Floodplain Management requirements. If you’re planning on purchasing or renovating existing property to decrease flood risks, getting an EC should be top of mind as soon as possible.
