NFIP Elevation Certificate

Policy Guide

Standard Flood Insurance Policy

Applications

Equinox Procedure
Waiting Periods : Occupancy Foundations : Discounts

New Business

Elevation Certificates
Primary Residence
BRCV : Venting : Condos

Renewals

Equinox Procedure
Billing Changes

Changes

Equinox Procedures
Mortgagee : Insured
Transfer of Ownership
Coverage Limits

Cancellations

Equinox Procedure
Request Forms : Signatures
Reasons : Documents

Elevation Certificates (ECs) are a hallmark of the NFIP. They were designed to provide detailed elevation data that would be used to identify a building's position relative to an established floodplain.

ECs are optional for NFIP insurance.

Use Equinox to Complete an EC

Purpose

• Elevation Certificates document the elevation of a building relative to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
• They are used to:
  • Determine the first floor height (FFH) for rating.
  • Establish eligibility for certain discounts, such as mitigation measures.
  • Verify compliance with floodplain management regulations.
    
    

Required Information

1. Lowest Adjacent Grade (LAG):
   • The elevation of the ground next to the building's foundation.
   • Essential for calculating the Lowest Floor Elevation (LFE).
2. Building Diagram Number:
   • Identifies the type of foundation and structure.
   • Used to apply appropriate elevation data.
3. First Floor Height (FFH):
   • Calculated from the elevation difference between the LAG and the lowest floor.

Sections of the EC

1. Section C (Survey Required):
   • Must be completed by a licensed surveyor, architect, or engineer.
   • Documents elevations for standard zones requiring a BFE.
   • Includes specific fields for non-elevated and elevated buildings.
2. Section E (Survey Not Required):
   • Used for flood zones AO and A without BFEs.
   • Can also apply to all zones for rating purposes but not for floodplain management.
   • Includes LAG, Highest Adjacent Grade (HAG), and estimates if needed.
3. Section H (New Addition):
   • Recommended for all flood zones in the updated EC form.
   • Complements Section E for determining FFH when applicable.

Documentation Requirements

• Signed by a licensed surveyor, engineer, or architect.
• Includes at least two photographs of the building’s front and rear, showing the foundation.
• For buildings under construction, a revised EC must be submitted once construction is complete.

Key Points for Agents

• Providing an EC does not increase premiums; FEMA’s system calculates and applies the lower rate between FEMA-sourced and EC-provided data.
• Properly completed ECs can qualify properties for lower premiums through accurate elevation data or mitigation discounts.
• Ensure all required sections and photographs are included to avoid processing delays.

This page is a rough draft and will need more work before it's finalized.

This page contains details about NFIP New Business. Find more in the How To Write section of the NFIP Flood Insurance Manual.