National Flood Insurance Program and County Floodways

New Flood Insurance Monthly Payment Plan Rolling Out!

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced plans to allow National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders to pay their premiums in monthly installments rather than in a single annual lump sum. Traditionally, NFIP premiums have been due all at once each year — a requirement that many homeowners in flood-prone areas have found burdensome.

Los Angeles County Public Works, along with many other floodplain managers and advocates, have been urging FEMA for payment flexibility, pointing to the financial strain a large annual bill can create, especially for lower-income households. This new rule is effective December 31, 2024.

The new option reflects a shift in FEMA's approach to NFIP policies. FEMA and Los Angeles County hope that offering a monthly payment option will make flood insurance more manageable for current policyholders, and potentially attract new policyholders who might otherwise risk going without coverage.

See FEMA's Frequently Asked Questions on the installment plan here.

FEMA Launches Do-It-Yourself Quoting Tool for Flood Insurance!

On November 18, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released its Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) online quoting tool. Available on the FloodSmart.gov website, this tool allows you to create a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance quote based on your home's address and simple characteristics of your home. For homeowners and renters, the tool uses the same risk rating engine that insurance agents use; therefore, FEMA expects the tool to create the same quote as if an insurance agent created it.

The quoting tool uses defaults built into the rating system for variables like building replacement cost and First Floor Height. (Remember: the NFIP rating methodology no longer uses flood zones and Base Flood Elevation as rating variables!) The tool does allow you to add in flood risk mitigation measures (such as the presence of flood vents in your foundation, elevating your home's water heaters, air conditioners and furnaces), so you can see what discounts in your flood insurance premium these measures can provide.

Note: Unfortunately, the tool does not allow you to change elevations; so, you cannot see what the financial benefit would be to elevate your home higher. FEMA hopes to include such a feature in future versions of the tool.

After entering about 10 pieces of information and the limits you want, you can generate a quote based on the deductibles you chose. This quote can be printed, emailed to your insurance agent (you provide the email address) or sent to one of three listed agents that service your area. These agents have signed up to receive quotes and have been verified by their Write Your Own insurance company. (If you're an insurance agent, you can register here.)

Although D2C tool generates a quote without using an insurance agent, you should always talk with an agent. This way you can confirm you have the best coverage for you and inputted the correct information to obtain your quote.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reduce loss of life and property, and meet the rising costs of disaster relief due to flooding. The Program is voluntary based on a mutual agreement between the federal government and the local community. The Los Angeles County entered the NFIP in 1980. Participation in the program makes flood insurance available to LA County unincorporated area residents and allows them to obtain direct Federal relief loans following federally declared flood disasters.

Los Angeles County has an ongoing Floodplain Management program. The program includes mapping of flood hazard areas associated with FEMA's Base Flood, which are shown on FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and the County's Capital Flood, which are shown on the County Floodway Maps. The Program also includes adopting associated ordinances, and regulating and enforcing safe building practices. It is the combination of these activities that promote flood protection to our community and maintain LA County's eligibility to participate in the NFIP.

Links to various components of our Floodplain Management program activities are listed on the left side of this page. A brief activity description is located on each page to provide a better insight of our program and the corresponding value to our community.

For information regarding the NFIP in unincorporated Los Angeles County, please contact the Public Works Flood Zone Hotline at (626) 458-4321.

For information regarding the NFIP in incorporated (city) areas, please use the link below to access the contact list of floodplain managers for cities in Los Angeles County.

NFIP City Contact List