Owning a home in a flood-prone area can lead to rising insurance premiums, difficulty selling, and limited options. If your home has multiple flood claims, it may be listed as a Repetitive Loss (RL) or Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) property by FEMA. This guide breaks down what that means — and what you can do about it.
An RL property has had 2+ flood insurance claims over $1,000 in a 10-year span since 1978. An SRL property has:
4+ claims of $5,000+, totaling over $20,000; or
2+ claims where total exceeds the building’s value.
Though only ~1% of NFIP-insured homes are RL/SRL, they can account for over 25% of claims. This status can raise insurance costs and complicate selling or refinancing.
Risk Rating 2.0 now sets premiums based on your property’s unique risk factors. RL/SRL homes may see annual increases of up to 18% (25% for SRL or non-primary homes).
Key Impacts:
Loss of older “grandfathered” rates
Full annual premium may be due at closing
Private flood insurance may be limited or denied
Tip: Only claims after Oct. 1, 2021, affect rates under Risk Rating 2.0.
|
Feature |
NFIP |
Private |
|
Covers RL/SRL homes |
Yes |
Limited |
|
Deny based on claims? |
No |
Yes |
|
Max building coverage |
$250K |
Higher possible |
|
Additional living expenses |
No |
Often included |
|
Basement contents |
Limited |
Often better |
Hybrid Strategy: Use NFIP for guaranteed coverage and add private excess flood insurance for more protection.
Harder to get quick quotes
Closings may stall if full premium due
Many agents/lenders lack RL/SRL knowledge
Buyer trust issues if status is a surprise
Disclose flood history early
Get an accurate quote upfront
Work with flood-savvy agents
Document any mitigation efforts
Prepare buyers for insurance-related closing costs
To request removal from FEMA's RL/SRL list, you'll need:
A current Elevation Certificate
Detailed mitigation documentation (e.g. elevation, vents, drainage)
Several years without new flood claims
A formal request submitted through your local floodplain manager
Timeline: 6–18 months
Can I sell an SRL property?
Yes, with early disclosure, accurate quotes, and preparation.
Can private flood insurance cover RL homes?
Sometimes — depends on claim history and mitigation.
Never filed a claim but still on the list?
It could be from prior owners. You can request removal or appeal.