Changes to NFIP Policies Coming Oct 1

Louisiana REALTORS • September 28, 2021

What REALTORS® Need to Know About Risk Rating 2.0

On October 1, 2021, FEMA will implement a new pricing system for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies called Risk Rating 2.0. This new pricing methodology comes just as the latest NFIP extension expires on September 30th . Expirations of NFIP extensions are something Louisiana citizens are all too familiar with, but the implementation of Risk Rating 2.0 will bring many changes to how NFIP flood policies are priced. 


Louisiana REALTORS® encourages REALTORS® and their clients to contact their insurance companies to determine what their new NFIP rates will be under Risk Rating 2.0. Many property owners are finding that their flood insurance rates will increase significantly under Risk Rating 2.0 while others are finding that their rates will remain relatively the same. Agents should also have discussions with their clients about sellers assigning their flood insurance policies to buyers so buyers can take advantage of any premium discounts a seller currently has (currently known as grandfathering). 


New NFIP policies, will be subject to the new pricing methodology. Existing policyholders eligible for renewal will be able to take advantage of any immediate decreases in their premiums. All remaining policies renewing on or after April 1, 2022, will be subject to the new pricing system.


REALTOR® members can be assured that Louisiana’s congressional delegation is leading the way to address both these matters. Senators Cassidy and Kennedy, along with other co-authors, introduced legislation to extend the NFIP program through September 30, 2022. And, Congressmen Scalise and Graves officially urged FEMA to delay the implementation of Risk Rating 2.0, however there has been no indication to date that Risk Rating 2.0 will be deferred. View the full letter here.

 

REALTORS® and their clients should reach out to their trusted insurance partners to learn how these changes will affect their individual NFIP policies so informed decisions can be made going forward. Addtional information about Risk Rating 2.0 can be found here.

Louisiana - Risk Rating 2.0

As part of an educational partnership with FEMA, Louisiana REALTORS® hosted a session "Flood Map Changes: What They Mean & What You Should Recommend" in August to highlight and explain the changes with addtional sessions scheduled throughout the remainder of the year. Panelists included Darrin Dutton, Rebecca Dake and Alan Johnson with FEMA Region 6 along with Pam Lightfoot with LADOTD Floodplain Office. 


Handouts and a full recording are available for further viewing along with additional information.

The National Association of REALTORS hosted a Town Hall meeting with FEMA Senior Executive David Maurstad providing an update on the new flood insurance pricing system of Risk Rating 2.0.

View the NAR Town Hall Recording

Risk Rating 2.0: Projected Premium Changes by Zip Code

This dashboard shows the FEMA Risk Rating 2.0 projected premium changes for single-family home (SFH) NFIP policyholders by zip code. The projected premium changes dataset has four maps – each representing one of the categories.

  • Decreased monthly premiums
  • Increase of $0-$10 per month
  • Increase of $10-$20 per month
  • Increased of $20+ per month

Disclaimer

The data in this dashboard are FEMA’s analysis of NFIP policyholder data. The analysis considers only the differences between May 2020 premiums (based on the old rating system) and October 2021 premiums (Risk Rating 2.0); the analysis does not consider typical premium increases that might have occurred without Risk Rating 2.0.

 

The maps generated do not reflect the total amount of premium changes or the overall cost of premiums paid. Nor do the maps provide information regarding any property’s unique flood risk. In compliance with data privacy policies, data in zip codes with less than five policyholders have not been released by FEMA. The number of policies and associated rate changes across all of these areas are available only in the aggregate


Signs You’re Ready to Buy a Home in Louisiana
By Louisiana REALTORS® June 27, 2025
Are you wondering if now’s the right time to stop renting and start putting down roots in Louisiana? Here’s some signs you’re ready to buy, and how a local expert can help you take the leap.
By Louisiana REALTORS® June 25, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on Making Your Home More Energy Efficient. This guide helps homeowners understand how to reduce energy usage, make cost-effective upgrades, and improve the efficiency and appeal of their home whether they are planning to sell or stay. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Making Your Home More Energy Efficient Real Estate Auctions Buyer’s vs. Seller’s Markets Estate Planning Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction Understanding & Protecting Yourself from Title Fraud Thank you for continuing to engage with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients so that they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Please remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover buying a historic property.
By Louisiana REALTORS® June 20, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on Working with a Real Estate Attorney. This guide explains how real estate attorneys can assist throughout the homebuying process, including reviewing contracts, resolving title issues, and ensuring legal documents are properly completed. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Working with a Real Estate Attorney Real Estate Auctions Buyer’s vs. Seller’s Markets Estate Planning Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction Understanding & Protecting Yourself from Title Fraud Thank you for continuing to engage with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients so that they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Please remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover making your home more energy efficient.
Show More