“More Virginians could receive discounts soon on flood insurance as part of an expansion of a little-known federal program. The Community Rating System, or CRS, reduces peoples’ flood insurance premiums if they live in cities that take steps to mitigate flooding.”

Learn more at WHRO.org.

People in less vulnerable areas receive limited discounts. Residents who are not required to have flood insurance but still do are not eligible for any discount.

Starting in October, that will change. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which oversees the rating system, says all policy holders in a locality will receive the maximum flood insurance discount regardless of their flood risk or type of policy.

City’s Community Rating System (CRS) Continues to Save Citizens 15% on Flood Insurance

The City’s Community Rating System Coordinator, Ms. Whitney McNamara, recently sent the above letter to all homeowners living in flood prone areas of our City.  The CRS is a national program and almost all of the cities in Hampton Roads are participants.  One of the requirements of the program is civic engagement.  The outreach letter contains a lot of helpful information, so please read it and its reference documents if you live in a flood prone area.  Being part of the CRS program also brings along benefits for citizens in the form of reduced flood insurance premiums.  The % saving is based on a points scale based on what actions the City is implementing.  Virginia Beach is currently at a 15% savings rating and is continuously working towards improvement and more savings.  You can click on the link below or the image above to read the entire letter.

2020-PLN-CRSOutreachToResidents-LTR

FEMA/HUD Community Rating System (CRS) City Mailer

As part of the CRS requirement, the City of Virginia Beach must provide the community with information and updates for the FEMA/HUD program.  If you live in a designated flood zone, you should have received the following notice.  It provides good information and links to other sites that are very helpful.  One of the biggest changes you should already be seeing is the 15% discount in your flood insurance premiums.  As the City continues to do more regarding flooding and storm water improvements, this discount should also increase to 20% and maybe even 25% over the next several years.