NFIP Elevation Certificate

ECs are optional for NFIP insurance.

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. Elevation Certificates are required for LOMA applications. They can also be used to record the First Floor Height (FFH) measurement.

ECs are optional for NFIP insurance.

Elevation Certificates were designed to provide detailed elevation data showing the relationship between the Base Flood Elevation and the Lowest Floor Elevation using elevations relative to sea level. Now, they are used to determine the difference between the gound and the lowest floor of the building.

ECs are now optional for NFIP insurance regardless of the flood zone or whether the building is Post-FIRM or Pre-FIRM. Additionally, it is no longer a requirement for an elevation certificate to be completed by a licensed surveyor or engineer. Section H of the new elevation certificate form can be completed by the insured, or a representative of the insured or the agent which eliminates the cost.

Use Equinox to Complete an EC

Required Information

Property Address:

Used to identify the building and/or geolocation
The owner's name is not required, as the EC is part of the public record

Building Diagram Number:

Identifies the type of foundation and structure
Used to determine the lowest floor of the building
Assistance is provided in the Equinox Wiki and/or the application process to assist in getting the corrent foundation information

Top of the Bottom Floor:

Typically the lowest floor of the building
If the foundation is basement or enclosure, then the Next Higher Floor is needed

Lowest Adjacent Grade (LAG):

The elevation of the ground next to the building's foundation
Used to determine sub-grade (below ground) foundations
Used to calculate First Floor Height

Sections of the EC

Section A of the Elevation Certificate is required. However during the application completion process in Equinox, the required information will automatically be moved into the Elevation Certificate form from the information provided in the application. Section B of the Elevation Certificate is also required. Section B is comprised of the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) information. This information is included as a third party lookup during the application process and is moved into the Elevation Certificate form during the application process.
Sections C, D, E, F, and G are no longer required.
Section H (New Addition):
- May be used for all flood zones
- Does require a minimum of two photographs (one of the front and one of the rear of the building) clearly showing the foundation of the building

Documentation Requirements

Include 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 will not cause an increase in premium; 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.
Elevation Certificates that have been completed using Sections C and D or E and F or Section G may still be used.

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