The city of Ocala is encouraging residents to use a new tool to determine a property’s level of flood risk and whether or not it qualifies for up to 35% off flood insurance.
Ocala is one of only two Class 3 communities east of the Mississippi River and the only community in Florida better than a Community Rating System Class 5.
Use the Ocala Flood Map to check a property’s discount eligibility.
The National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System uses a Class rating system that is similar to fire insurance rating to determine flood insurance premium reductions for residents. CRS Classes are rated from 9 to 1.
As a community engages in additional mitigation activities, its residents become eligible for increased NFIP policy premium discounts. Each CRS Class improvement produces a 5% greater discount on flood insurance premiums for properties in the SFHA.
Since the city of Ocala is a Class 3 Community, properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) are eligible to receive a 35% discount on their Flood Insurance. Properties in Non-Special Flood Hazard Areas (Non-SFHA) are eligible to receive a 10% discount on their flood insurance.
According to the city, the new map provides a graphic interpretation of the most recent SFHAs and the Flood Insurance Rate Map.
If a property is in a 2017 SFHA, but not in a 2008 or 1978 SFHA, the city says that property’s flood insurance rate will likely change.
The city says if a property did not have an active flood insurance policy prior to April 19, 2017, it could be eligible for the “Newly Mapped Procedure.”
For more information, contact your local insurance agency, visit the City of Ocala’s Stormwater Engineering Division, or call 352-351-6733.