INSIGHTi
National Flood Insurance Program Risk
Rating 2.0: Frequently Asked Questions
October 15, 2021
This Insight answers some frequently asked questions about Risk Rating 2.0, which began on October 1,
2021, changing the way the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) calculates flood insurance
premiums. For additional information, see CRS Report R45999, National Flood Insurance Program: The
Current Rating Structure and Risk Rating 2.0.
What Is Risk Rating 2.0?
Risk Rating 2.0 is a new pricing methodology and represents the biggest change to the way the NFIP
calculates flood insurance premiums since the program began in 1968. Premiums calculated under Risk
Rating 2.0 reflect an individual property’s specific flood risk and more types of flood risk, as opposed to
being placed in a general risk category based on location and property type.
Why Is the NFIP Introducing Risk Rating 2.0?
The NFIP is updating its rating methodology to calculate flood insurance premiums for individual
properties based on actual flood risk. This is intended to produce rates that are more equitable, and to
inform policyholders of their true flood risk.
When Does Risk Rating 2.0 Start?
New NFIP policies written on or after October 1, 2021, use the new methodology. Renewing
policyholders may choose between the new and old rating methods until April 1, 2022. After April 1,
2022, al policies wil be priced using Risk Rating 2.0 methodology.
How Have Flood Insurance Premiums Been Calculated Previously?
The NFIP’s rating structure followed the general insurance practices in place when the NFIP was
established and has not fundamental y changed since the 1970s. It has used several basic characteristics to
classify properties and assign rates. Structures have been evaluated by location within a flood zone on a
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), occupancy type, and elevation relative to the Base Flood Elevation
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(BFE). This rating system has not taken into account the individual flood risk or the cost to rebuild, and
considers two sources of flood risk: river flooding and coastal flooding.
How Are Premiums Calculated Under Risk Rating 2.0?
Premiums are calculated based on specific features of an individual property, including distance from
water, type of flooding, flood frequency, structure foundation type, height of the lowest floor relative to
BFE, and the structure’s replacement cost value. Risk Rating 2.0 also adds pluvial flood risk—flooding
from heavy rainfal .
Will Subsidized Premiums Increase Under Risk Rating 2.0?
Risk Rating 2.0 continues the phase-out of NFIP subsidies, which began with the Biggert-Waters Flood
Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12) and continued with the Homeowner Flood Insurance
Affordability Act of 2014 (HFIAA). Properties currently grandfathered wil see their premiums move
towards a full risk-based rate under Risk Rating 2.0. New policies and those renewed under Risk Rating
2.0 wil not be grandfathered, and al new policies wil pay the full risk-based rate.
How Much Can Premiums Increase Annually?
The NFIP is not able to increase rates beyond statutory limits set in HFIAA, which al ow premium
increases of up to 18% annual y for primary residences. Other categories of property are required to have
their premium increased by 25% per year until they reach full risk-based rates, including (1) non-primary
residences; (2) non-residential properties; (3) business properties; (4) properties with severe repetitive
loss; (5) properties with substantial cumulative damage; and (6) properties with substantial damage or
substantial improvement after July 6, 2012. In the first year of Risk Rating 2.0, premiums are capped at
$12,125 for single-family homes.
My Premium Is Going Down Under Risk Rating 2.0. When Can I Move
to the Lower Rate?
Existing policyholders with renewal dates between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, can take
advantage of potential decreases in their premium under Risk Rating 2.0 at the time of renewal.
Are There Discounts for Flood Mitigation Activities?
Policyholders can receive mitigation credits for elevating a property, elevating machinery and equipment
above the lowest floor, and instal ing flood openings below BFE. Al policyholders in communities in the
Community Rating System (CRS) are to receive discounts of 5%-45%, based on the community’s CRS
score.
How Have Average NFIP Premiums Changed in Recent Years?
Since HFIAA, NFIP average premiums have increased between 6% and 11% per year (see Table 1).
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Table 1. Percentage Increases in Selected NFIP Premiums, 2015-2021
Rate
Category
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Pre-FIRM
14.0%
5.0%
5.0%
5.0%
7.3%
7.9%
7.7%
Subsidized
V zone
9.0%
10.0%
7.0%
11.0%
6.0%
5.9%
0.3%
A zone
12.0%
9.0%
1.0%
1.0%
4.0%
4.1%
1.7%
X zone
11.0%
3.0%
2.0%
1.0%
1.0%
3.5%
1.4%
Average
9.9%
9.0%
6.3%
8.0%
8.2%
11.3%
10.2%
Source: Compiled by CRS from annual WYO Company Bul etins.
Notes: Rate increases for 2021 do not include changes from Risk Rating 2.0.
Does Being Mapped into a Different Flood Zone Affect Premiums?
No, flood zones are no longer used in calculating a property’s premium under Risk Rating 2.0. Instead,
premiums are calculated based on the specific features of an individual property. Flood maps are stil used
for the mandatory purchase requirement and floodplain management.
Does Risk Rating 2.0 Change Requirements to Buy Flood Insurance?
No, if a property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), the owner is required to buy flood insurance
to secure a federal y-backed mortgage. Lenders use FIRMs to make this determination.
Can New Premiums Under Risk Rating 2.0 Be Appealed?
No appeal procedure has been established for changes under Risk Rating 2.0. Policyholders can appeal
against NFIP flood maps, but this wil not change insurance premiums.
How Are NFIP Premiums Changing in My State Under Risk Rating 2.0?
FEMA has posted state profiles showing changes under Risk Rating 2.0, and data at the county and zip
code level can be downloaded. The Association of State Floodplain Managers has posted an interactive
map showing projected premium changes under Risk Rating 2.0 at the state and zip code level.
Are Premiums Under Risk Rating 2.0 Affected by Changing Flood Risk
Under Climate Change?
Premiums for a single year wil not increase due to future climate change. However, if flood risk increases
over time, premiums wil increase to reflect the increased risk.
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Author Information
Diane P. Horn
Analyst in Flood Insurance and Emergency Management
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff
to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of
Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of
information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role.
CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United
States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However,
as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the
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