Reducing the Cost of Flood Insurance

The most recent FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) became effective in 2009. FEMA is in the process of updating the 2009 Flood Zone Maps. This update is expected to be completed in 2025, but delays may occur. Please, check our website for updates and visit the Flood Zone Application to find out how your flood zone designation may change the new FEMA Maps.

If your property will change from Zone X into a flood zone in the new maps, it is important to lock the zone X insurance rates by purchasing flood insurance before the maps become effective.

If you don't agree with your flood zone designation or if you missed the deadline for grandfathering your Zone X rate, the following actions may assist in reducing or eliminating the future need to have flood insurance:

• Use a Pre-FIRM rate: Pre-FIRM buildings can be insured using "subsidized" rates. These rates are designed to help people afford flood insurance even though their buildings were not built with flood protection in mind.
• Hire a professional land surveyor to obtain elevation certificates: This can be done for all buildings located within the property, showing that they are higher than the base flood elevation. Savings may be substantial if buildings are elevated above the flood plain.
• Request a Map Amendment or Map Revision from FEMA: Hire a professional land surveyor to survey the entire property, showing that the areas and structures are higher than the base flood elevation, and apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). This FEMA process, if approved, effectively removes the property from the flood plain, classifying higher areas into Zone X. For more information visit FEMA's website.

To find a professional land surveyor, visit Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. You can search by city, name, type of license (business or individual) and License number. For example, to obtain a list of surveyor businesses in Miami, you choose "LB" in the Program and type "Miami" in the City in the dialog boxes.

To download a copy of your LOMC, LOMA or LOMR, visit the FEMA website then enter your address in the search box.

Note: Online viewing is only available for LOMCs in digital form. FEMA's Map Service Center (MSC) has digital LOMCs since June 1, 1997. For a listing of LOMCs older than June 1, 1997, call the MSC at 877-336-2627 or Miami-Dade County's Stormwater Utility Planning Division at 305-372-6466. Note that most of the older LOMCs were incorporated in the current FEMA Maps.

If you are having difficulties locating your LOMC, LOMA or LOMR, please call the Flood Zone Hotline at 305-372-6466.

Community Rating System

The National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements.

As a result, homeowners benefit from a significant discount on their flood insurance premium, because rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions to meet CRS goals. 

Unincorporated Miami-Dade County participates in the CRS Program and has achieved a Class 5 Community rating, which guarantees a 35 percent discount on all flood insurance for residents in this area.