How Elevation Certificates Save You Money

What Is an Elevation Certificate?

An elevation certificate is an official document that records the elevation of a building's key features relative to a benchmark, typically the base flood elevation. It is prepared by a licensed land surveyor, professional engineer, or architect and submitted on FEMA Form 086-0-33.

The certificate documents the lowest floor elevation, the elevation of machinery and equipment, the building's location relative to the flood zone boundary, and the type of building and its construction characteristics.

How It Affects Your Premium

Without an elevation certificate, your insurer must estimate your building's flood risk using conservative assumptions. This often results in higher premiums than necessary. With a certificate that shows favorable elevation data, your premium can decrease substantially.

For example, a home in Zone AE with a lowest floor two feet above the BFE might pay $800-$1,200 per year. Without an elevation certificate, the insurer might rate the same home as if it were at or below the BFE, resulting in a premium of $3,000-$5,000 or more.

When to Get One

An elevation certificate makes sense if you are in a high-risk flood zone and do not already have one, if you are buying a home in a flood zone, if your home has been elevated or improved since your last certificate, or if you are applying for a LOMA to remove your property from a high-risk zone.

Getting the Certificate

Contact a licensed surveyor in your area. Costs typically range from $300 to $600, though complex properties or remote locations may cost more. Your local floodplain management office may have records of existing certificates for your area. The investment almost always pays for itself within the first year through premium savings. Look up flood zone data for your ZIP code to see if an elevation certificate might benefit you.