Form 086-0-33, FEMA Elevation Certificate
“How probable is the flood infliction in the area where I live” – this is the question that is becoming increasingly important for many due to the increasing number of floods that happen, even in places not used to experiencing extreme weather. Because of this trend, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made substantial changes to its flood mapping. This has resulted in the need for newly included zones to obtain flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flood insurance policies will not be issued without a preliminary analysis, which is recorded on the FEMA Elevation Certificate.
In this blog post, we will explain what the FEMA Elevation Certificate is for and how to obtain one.
Who needs a National Flood Insurance Program Elevation Certificate?
The National Flood Insurance Program Elevation Certificate, also known as the FEMA Form 086-0-33 is produced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in order to establish the elevation of a building located in a high-risk flood zone. A homeowner residing in an area susceptible to floods is required to provide the Elevation Certificate to the insurance provider in order to be granted a flood insurance policy and so that the insurer can properly analyse the risks in such a case. The elevation information is required to prove the property’s compliance with the floodplain management ordinance.
Who should complete the FEMA Elevation Certificate?
FEMA Form 086-0-33 can be completed only by an authorized specialist, namely, a land surveyor, engineer, or an architect who has legal permission to certify elevation information. It is mandatory that an authorized party indicate their licence number, seal, signature and the date the form was completed.
When is the FEMA Elevation Certificate due?
The Certificate does not have a particular due date, but it must be completed promptly when the need arises. It is important to bear in mind that if the property is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), the insurance company will not issue a flood insurance policy if it is not furnished with an official FEMA Elevation Certificate. It is also worth noting the duration of the certificate issuing procedure: immediately after the application for the certificate is filed, it could take between 30 and 60 days for the FEMA Form 086-0-33 to be properly prepared.
What kind of information is provided on the FEMA Certificate?
The authorized specialist will include the following details on the Elevation Certificate Form:
- Real Property Information
- Flood Insurance Rate Map Information
- Building Evaluation Information
- Authorized Agent’s Certification
- Information About the Homeowner
- Community Information
- Photographs of the Evaluated Property