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The Community Flood Rating System

The NFIP Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. The three goals of the CRS are to:

1. Reduce flood losses
2. Facilitate accurate insurance rating
3. Promote awareness of flood insurance

When communities participate in the CRS, flood insurance rates for insured property owners and renters are discounted in increments of 5 percent to a maximum discount of 45 percent, based on 18 creditable activities. The activities are organized under four categories:

1. Public information (e.g., offering references on flood insurance and flood protection at the public library)
2. Mapping and regulations (e.g., guaranteeing that a portion of currently vacant floodplain will be kept free from development)
3. Flood damage reduction  (e.g.,  acquiring, elevating, and/or relocating flood-prone buildings so that they are out of the floodplain)
4. Flood preparedness (e.g., providing early flood warnings to the public)

To apply for CRS participation, a community submits documentation of its floodplain management activities to the Insurance Services Office, which works on behalf of FEMA and the insurance companies. Specific information about CRS and the application process can be found at the CRS online resource center.