Insurance Program Overview

Describing the National Flood Insurance Program

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is an arm of FEMA. Established in 1968, its goal is to reduce flood losses by fostering effective building practices. The NFIP provides federally-backed flood insurance for communities that adopt and enforce flood loss reduction standards.

The standards require that houses be elevated above the floodplain (areas of the City subject to periodic inundation from floodwaters) so as to minimize their risk of flooding. Since Pinellas Park participates in the NFIP, this allows residents and businesses in Pinellas Park to cover their structures against flood losses since homeowner's insurance does not cover flood damages.

Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014

The Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 or Grimm-Waters Act was passed by Congress and signed by the President in 2014 that reformed parts of the Biggert-Waters Act of 2012. The law repealed some provisions and added other provisions. The links on this page will help explain the Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act (HFIAA) of 2014 and subsequent changes in more detail.

Recent News Regarding Flood Insurance

Flood insurance rates and other charges will be revised for new or existing policies beginning on April 1, 2015. In addition to insurance rates, other changes resulting from Biggert-Waters and HFIAA will be implemented that will affect the total amount a policyholder pays for a flood insurance policy. The following link will outline the changes which was implemented on April 1, 2015 Program Effects (PDF).