Not in Flood Zone?

Question

we are being forced to pay flood insurance but are not in a flood zone how do we fight this?

Answer 1

Who is forcing you?  If it's the insurance company's policy, then shop for another insurer.

Answer 2

Who is forcing you? FEMA? The insurance company? Your lender?

Check the new flood maps by going on Fema.gov, click on "business", then "flood maps", put in your address and your flood map will come up.

If you are in the clear, Zone X, print it out and use it to make your case against paying for the flood insurance. If you are within 100 yards of the flood zone, you may not be able to avoid it.

If you did by chance have a flood, you should be aware that your homeowner's insurance won't pay for any damage, since it was caused by an "Act of God". Only flood insurance will cover the cost.

Answer 3

Who's forcing you?  The mortgagee?  If so, refinance your home.  But any new mortgage is likely going to also deem your house to be a flood zone, and require you to carry flood insurance.

BTW, EVERY house is in a flood zone.  Period.  The question is, is it a low risk or a high risk flood zone.  SO, each zone is given a RATING.  The REAL question is, what's the RATING of your zone?  

Is it YOUR opinion that you're not in a high risk zone?  Do you have an elevation certificate to prove it?  If so, you can at least get the rates lowered to preferred, at best, get the mortgagee to agree to drop the requirement (but you'd better get it in writing).

Opinions don't count.   Flood zone determinations do, as do elevation certificates.

Answer 4

Lenders MUST require it (by federal law) if you are within a 100-year flood zone as shown on the current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map for your community.  There is a FEMA procedure you can go through to obtain a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) removing your house from the flood zone if you feel that it is elevated above the 100-year flood elevation on the map.

Lenders CAN require flood insurance even if you are not within the 100-year flood zone.  If your lender requires it, you are stuck;  however, flood insurance premiums are much cheaper if you are not within the 100-year zone.

Answer 5

look for someone else