Last Updated: 7/23/2025 10:56 AM
Flood Insurance
In Sacramento County, nearly 20 percent of flood insurance claims come from moderate to low-risk areas. You can still obtain flood insurance if your home or business is removed from the mapped floodplain .
Flood insurance is required if your property is in a designated high-risk flood zone and receive a mortgage loan from a federally regulated or insured lender. If you do not have a mortgage, it is still recommended that a property owner buy flood insurance. Over the life of a 30-year loan, there is about a 3 times greater chance of having a flood in your home than having a fire. Most homeowner's insurance policies do not provide coverage for damage due to flooding.
There is a 30 day waiting period on new flood insurance policies.
Zone X properties can purchase flood insurance. Even though flood insurance isn't federally required, anyone can be financially vulnerable to floods.
FEMA Letters: Flood Risk and Policy Options. Important information is available at https://www.fema.gov/cost-of-flood.
Policyholders will receive the letters as notification that a review of their property's flood risk has been done. There will be an explanation of what was found and how the flood risk will impact what they pay for flood insurance. For some, having an Elevation Certificate (EC) may lead to lower flood insurance costs immediately or in the future.
Contact your insurance company or agent to discuss your policy options.
Private Flood Insurance
Did you know that flood insurance is available in California by private companies. This could be a great solution for those who do not have a policy from the National Flood Insurance Program. Simply search the Internet for private flood insurance in California and you will find several companies.
Private flood insurance is not available through Write Your Own insurance companies. These policies may provide a different alternative to NFIP coverage.
What is Private Flood Insurance?
While the NFIP is a program funded and backed by the federal government, private flood carriers are independent sectors. These insurers have their own reinsurance programs and do not have to abide by the requirements set by FEMA for policies written through the NFIP.
Flood insurance is an investment you are making towards protecting your property, so it’s important to be completely informed when making this decision. The NFIP is required to be reauthorized by the government every so often. Most recently, the program was extended through September 2020. If the NFIP were to expire, no policies through the program could be written or renewed.
Since private flood carriers do not have to follow FEMA regulations, their rates can fluctuate often. However, since there are multiple carriers you always have the option to shop your flood coverage with other companies should your renewal increase. Private flood policies also do not have surcharges that are added on for those insured under the NFIP. You can search online to learn about private insurance companies and whether they would be a good option for you.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independentagency created by Congress to maintain stability and publicconfidence in the nation's financial system.
Additional information about flood insurance is available at FEMA's official National Flood Insurance Program website.