Grandfather Provisions

If your home was previously considered outside the 100-year floodplain and was constructed without flood protection measures, you may be eligible for reduced insurance rates.

The NFIP offers Grandfather Provisions for structures built in compliance with the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) that was in effect at the time of construction, as well as structures built before a rate map was in place.

If your building was constructed before July 17, 1978 (Pre-FIRM construction), you are eligible to maintain the prior flood zone and base flood elevation as long as you maintain continuous coverage and purchase your policy before the revised FIRM goes into effect. The flood policy can also be assigned to a new owner at the option of the policyholder. If you do not obtain a policy for a Pre-FIRM building before the effective date of the FIRM change, then you are eligible to receive the Pre-FIRM (subsidized) rates based on the new flood zone rather than the actual elevation-based rates.

If your building was constructed after July 17, 1978 (Post-FIRM construction), you are eligible to maintain the prior flood zone and base flood elevation as long as you maintain continuous coverage and purchase your policy before the revised FIRM goes into effect. The flood policy can also be assigned to a new owner at the option of the policyholder. If the building was constructed in compliance with a specific FIRM, you are eligible to obtain a policy using the flood zone and base flood elevation from the FIRM that was in place at the time of construction. Proof of the compliant construction and FIRM in place at the time of construction must be submitted to the insurance company as part of obtaining a policy. Continuous flood insurance coverage is not required to remain eligible for this rating.