Home Contra Costa County Contra Costa County Earns Discount for Flood Insurance

Contra Costa County Earns Discount for Flood Insurance

by ECT

Martinez, CA – Residents and businesses of Contra Costa County will be paying less for flood insurance, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Contra Costa County has earned a Class 5 community rating from FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  As a result, current and new policyholders will save 25% percent on the annual premium on each flood insurance policy in identified high-risk areas and 10% percent in lower risk areas. That translates into yearly premium savings of approximately $437.00 dollars and $450,000 dollars for unincorporated areas of the County.

“We applaud Contra Costa County,” said Robert Fenton, Regional Administrator of FEMA Region IX in Oakland.  “Because of the commitment of elected officials and the floodplain manager, two benefits are realized. First is the long-term benefit of reducing future flood losses.  Second is the annual financial savings to residents, through lower insurance premiums.”

The Community Rating System encourages and rewards communities that exceed minimum NFIP floodplain management standards.  Credit points are earned for activities and initiatives that include public information, mapping and regulation, damage reduction, and flood preparedness programs.  A classification is then assigned, based upon the credit points.  As credit point steps are reached, the flood insurance premiums paid by policyholders decrease. Premium discounts of up to 45% for properties in high risk flood areas are possible under the Community Rating System.

“Of course, it doesn’t matter whether your flood risk is high, medium or low,” added Fenton.  “Getting flood insurance is the smart thing to do, because it is not just high risk areas that flood.  About one in four flood insurance claims are paid to properties outside high-risk areas.  Anytime is the best time to buy insurance, so that you’re not caught without coverage when a flood threatens your home or business.”

“The Board is proud of the efforts by Public Works staff to ensure the safety of our residents throughout Contra Costa County.” stated Supervisor Mitchoff, Chair of the Board. “We look forward to continuing to work with FEMA to lower insurance costs as well.”

NFIP policies are available through private insurance companies and agents and there is usually a 30-day waiting period before coverage goes into effect.  For more information about floods, flood insurance, and your own flood risk, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

A FEMA representative will present a CRS Class 5 plaque to Contra Costa County for its dedication to make the County Unincorporated Areas a safer place from the nation’s costliest disaster­­s – flooding at the next County Board meeting on Tuesday, September 25th.

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:
Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels and other drainage and over 200 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County.   CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sand Bag Distribution and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.  For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us here.

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