Flood insurance can feel overwhelming, especially when there is very little clear education available. One of the most common questions homeowners ask is whether they actually need an elevation certificate to obtain flood insurance.
Why Elevation Certificates Are Often Requested
When homeowners request a flood insurance quote, they are frequently told that an elevation certificate is required. As a result, many people spend around $500 to obtain one, only to discover that their flood insurance rate increases significantly—or doesn’t change at all.
In many cases, the elevation certificate was unnecessary from the start.
When an Elevation Certificate Does Not Affect Your Rate
An elevation certificate is designed to show where a structure sits in relation to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). However, in many 500-year flood zones, there is no established BFE. Without a base flood elevation, there is nothing to compare the structure against, meaning the elevation certificate will not impact the flood insurance rate.
This is one of the most common situations where homeowners waste money on an elevation certificate that provides no pricing benefit.
When an Elevation Certificate Can Help
There are scenarios where an elevation certificate can improve a flood insurance rate, particularly in certain high-risk flood zones where a base flood elevation exists. Each property must be evaluated individually to determine whether the certificate will actually reduce premiums.
Elevation Certificates and Private Flood Insurance
Another important factor is the type of flood insurance being considered. In the private flood insurance market, elevation certificates are often not required, unlike policies written through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This makes it even more important to understand your options before ordering one.
Why Expert Guidance Matters
Because every property and flood zone is different, it’s critical to evaluate the situation before spending money unnecessarily. This is why we recommend reaching out to the Flood Insurance Guru before ordering an elevation certificate.
With a background in flood mitigation, the Flood Insurance Guru can analyze whether an elevation certificate will actually help your situation—especially for properties in non-coastal areas. They provide flood education and guidance across all 50 states, helping homeowners avoid costly mistakes and coverage gaps.
