In order to make this more nationwide in usage, we have added the zones from all over the US.  National Flood recommends that the contents amounts should reflect 40% of the dwelling amounts. Other combinations are available as well as deductibles.

Knowing the community name and the date of construction can best help anyone find the lowest flood rates for a particular location.  Also, understanding the FIRM date is useful if anyone is trying to Grandfather the policy.

1. Use link  #18 to find your zone & Community Name.  If current zone is an A zone (AE &/or A1-A30) they are the shaded areas whereas B, C or X is the lighter shades. 
2. Next know your DOC (date of construction) Don't guess at it!   
3. Check in the Status Book-see link #20  for Louisiana and find the FIRM date and compare it to the DOC
4. Link  #16 for CRS discounts (percentage off of the base flood rates)  Insurance personnel allow the computer to do much of this!!!!

Wrong Date of Construction could cause your insurance premiums to be much higher than they are so if unsure, check with local permit offices, tax offices, recorder of deeds.  See the difference between an AE Pre-Firm and a old B zone to see why having an accurate date is so important. Doesn't always mean the rates are lower, but why not check to be sure?!  Grandfather rule is all about using an older map panel if the zone was different than it is now, also Permit on the home can also show the original zone.

The FIRM date is either #20 for Louisiana or #19 for all states.  This date is important to know and understand.  This along with the correct date construction was started can make a big difference in the cost of flood insurance. Accurate information is the key.

The CRS discounts can be found under link #16 for Louisiana or #15 for all states.  This stands for Community rating system and is a discount off of the base rates when the community does more than what FEMA requires for reducing the chance of flooding.

Post-Firm Flood Rates        

Post-Firm Flood Rates: (AE & A1-30)  Flood Elevation Certificate is required

In order to manually figure flood premiums you must know if there is a CRS discount.  This is a credit off of the flood rates.  Link #16 is Louisiana and link #15 nationwide.  When in doubt leave it out! 

Flood rates are in two levels.  When figuring building rates it is up to $50,000 then any amount over is a lower rate.  When it comes to contents it is up to $20,000 and any amount over is a lower rate. And, if it is 2-stories it is a lower rate. 1 ½ stroies is considered 2-stories.

Dwelling
	up to $50,000	over $50,000
1-Story	$1.44 per $100	0.11 per $100
2-Stories	$1.05 per $100	0.10 per $100

Contents
	up to $20,000	over $20,000
1-Story	$1.24 per $100	0.12 per $100
2-Stories	$.69 per $100	0.12 per $100

These rates reflect $500 Deductible on dwelling and Contents. ICC is $6 & the Federal Fee is $35

Example:  $100,000 on dwelling and $40,000 on contents:
50,000 x 1.44= $720+50,000x.11=$55=$775 on dwelling
20,000 x 1.24= $248+20,000x.12=$24=$272 together =$1047
Add $6 + $35 for the annual premium of $1088 If CRS take the discount off the $1047 then add the $6 and $35.           

Pre-Firm Flood Rates     

Flood Zones: A. AE. A1-A3-. AO, AH & D

No Flood Elevation Certificate.  These rates are subsidized by the government and, in the future, if it isn't owner-occupied primary residence Congress is thinking of taking off the subsidy.  So those with real estate investment properies or secondary locations, beware.

FEMA recommends that we use 40% of dwelling amounts for contents amounts.  Rates based upon $1000 deductible on dwelling & $1000 on contents.  Different deductible available.

Only one set of rates regardless of the number of floors

Dwelling
up to $50,000	remainder up to  $250,000
$0.76 per $100	$0.54 per $100

Contents
up to $20,000	remainder up to $100,000
$0.96 per $100	$.97 per $100

There is a $75 ICC charge that needs to be added and the $35 FederalFee.  Always allow for any CRS credit before adding these own. 

Example:  First $50,000 x .76=$380    $200,000 x .54=$108

                First $20,000 x .96=$192    $80,000 x .97=$776

$380 + $108 + $192 + $776=$1456  (apply any CRS discount) then add $75 ICC fee & $35 Federal Fee = $1566

Pre-Firm does not use an elevation certificate.  Pre-Firm means that the dwelling was built before the FIRM date or 12/31/1974 whichever is later.  This date can be found either under #19 or #20.  Subtract the $30 Federal Fee before allowing the CRS discount.  Check #15 or #16 to see if the community qualifies.  See column that says SFHA for percentage discount.   Then add back the Federal Fee.

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Standard B, C or X & A99. (Used whenever a policy is being Grandfathered or the Preferred Flood Policy rates cannot be used because of the loss history on the dwelling)

These rates do not use an Elevation Certificate and when it is one-story where the current zone is an A zone then the B is usually less and no elevation certificate is used reducing the cost which can be over $300 to ordr one.  This is where an accurate date of construction and the use of the Grandfather rule can save one money on the cost of flood insurance.  See Grandfather Rule under Library for FEMA.

Maximum amounts are $250,000 on Dwelling & $100,000 on Contents and $500 Deductibles on both.

Dwelling
up to $50,000	remainder up to  $250,000
$0.78 per $100	$0.21 per $100

Contents
up to $20,000	remainder up to $100,000
$1.20 per $100	$.37 per $100

Add $6 ICC & $35 Fee after allowing the CRS discount, if any.

Example:  First $50,000 x .78=$390   $200,000 x .21=$42

                First $20,000 x .96=$192   $80,000 x .37=$296

$390 + $42 + $192 + $296=$920 (apply any CRS discount) then add $6 ICC fee & $35 Federal Fee= $961