The National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements.
As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions meeting the three goals of the CRS:
1. Reduce flood damage to insurable property;
2. Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP; and
3. Encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management.
In May 2017 the City of Tuscaloosa achieved a Class 8 Rating, which awards residents in the city with a 10 percent discount on flood insurance premiums. The City of Tuscaloosa began participating in the CRS program in May 2016 with a Class 9 rating, which awarded residents in the city with a 5 percent discount on flood insurance premiums. These ratings are earned by engaging in various floodplain management activities, such as providing flood information, preserving open space in the floodplain, maintaining the drainage system and coordinating outreach. The City is currently in the process of implementing programs and procedures that will further increase the point total and Class and thus increase the discount that affected citizens will receive on their flood insurance premiums.
The table below shows the credit points earned, classification awarded and premium reductions given for communities in the NFIP CRS.
Credit Points | Class | Premium Reduction | Premium Reduction |
4,500+ | 1 | 45% | 10% |
4,000 – 4,499 | 2 | 40% | 10% |
3,500 – 3,999 | 3 | 35% | 10% |
3,000 – 3,499 | 4 | 30% | 10% |
2,500 – 2,999 | 5 | 25% | 10% |
2,000 – 2,499 | 6 | 20% | 10% |
1,500 – 1,999 | 7 | 15% | 5% |
1,000 – 1,499 | 8 | 10% | 5% |
500 – 999 | 9 | 5% | 5% |
0 – 499 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
*Special Flood Hazard Area
**Preferred Risk Policies are available only in B, C, and X Zones for properties that are shown to have a minimal risk of flood damage. The Preferred Risk Policy does not receive premium rate credits under the CRS because it already has a lower premium than other policies. The CRS credit for AR and A99 Zones are based on non-Special Flood Hazard Areas (non-SFHAs) (B, C, and X Zones). Credits are: classes 1-6, 10% and classes 7-9, 5%. Premium reductions are subject to change.
For more information about the Community Rating System, click here.