Flood Zones and Flood Insurance When Buying in Florida

How do I check a home's flood zone?

Look up the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Zones starting with A or V are high risk. Zone X is moderate to low risk.

Is flood insurance required?

Lenders require flood insurance for federally backed loans on homes in high-risk zones. Citizens Property Insurance also requires many of its policyholders to carry flood coverage. Buyers outside high-risk zones often buy it anyway along the coast.

Do Florida sellers disclose flood history?

Yes. Florida law now requires sellers of residential property to give a flood disclosure covering past flood claims and federal flood assistance. Ask for it early and compare it with the elevation certificate.

Written by Ryan C. Winslow, broker/owner of Winslow Homes. REALTOR® since 2009, 3,000+ homes sold, broker in FL, MA, CT and RI, U.S. Army retired. About Ryan.

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