Flood Insurance

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and is delivered to the public by a network of approximately 60 insurance companies and the NFIP Direct.

Floods can happen anywhere — just one inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 in damage. Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is a separate policy that can cover buildings, the contents in a building, or both, so it is important to protect your most important financial assets — your home, your business, your possessions.

The NFIP provides flood insurance to property owners, renters and businesses, and having this coverage helps them recover faster when floodwaters recede. The NFIP works with communities required to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations that help mitigate flooding effects.

Flood insurance is available to anyone living in one of the 23,000 participating NFIP communities. Homes and businesses in high-risk flood areas with mortgages from government-backed lenders are required to have flood insurance.

For more information about what’s covered and to find a policy visit FloodSmart.gov.

To purchase flood insurance, call your insurance company or insurance agent, the same person who sells your home or auto insurance. If you need help finding a provider go to FloodSmart.gov/find or call the NFIP at 877-336-2627.

Plan ahead as there is typically a 30-day waiting period for an NFIP policy to go into effect, unless the coverage is mandated it is purchased as required by a federally backed lender or is related to a community flood map change.

FloodSmart.gov

Become a Seller and Servicer

FEMA administers the NFIP and it is a partnership between the federal government, the property and casualty insurance industry, states, local officials, lending institution, and property owners.

Each year, approximately 50 participating private insurance companies are part of the Write-Your-Own (WYO) program that sells and services NFIP policies through their insurance agents. 

FEMA retains responsibility for underwriting flood insurance coverage sold under that program and by the NFIP Direct. There are more than five million policyholders nationwide and the NFIP is the nation’s largest single-line insurance program providing nearly $1.3 trillion in coverage against flood.

NFIP Direct

NFIP offers a wide range of publications, videos, graphics and online tools that help policyholders, agents and other servicers navigate the flood insurance process before, during and after disaster. Digital resources can be downloaded, and certain print publications can be ordered for free.

We provide reports on the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) financials and offer guidance on conducting daily operations for existing and new NFIP sellers and servicers. Find information on the Write-Your-Own program, reinsurance, Risk Rating 2.0, plus the Flood Insurance Manual and other tools.

Congress established the NFIP on August 1, 1968, with the passage of the National Flood Insurance Act (NFIA) of 1968, which has been modified over the years.

Learn about legislative changes to and the future of the National Flood Insurance Program.