For Flood Insurance - Don't Overvalue Your House Tuesday August 18, 2015 03:12 pm

The value you use on your flood insurance can make the difference between being eligible for a 100% or 90% grant, and not receiving grant assistance to elevate.

Terrebonne Parish recently submitted a request for elevation funds for 14 Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) or Repetitive Loss (RL) properties. These are properties that are targeted by FEMA due to either having been damaged to 100% or 50% of the fair market value respectively. Each of these structures will be funded at 100% or 90% if the Parish competes successfully.

The Flood Mitigation Grants are available each year. The list of eligible properties is created by FEMA based on the information the insurance company provides from flood policies. Some people will likely be on the grant next year, but this year missed out. Their houses were valued at more than the assessed value or appraised value, and therefore FEMA thought that they didn’t qualify. Since the Parish can only include qualified parties, these families couldn’t be included in the grant.

If you believe a structure should qualify, FEMA may require an appraisal which may cost up to $450. You may be able to work with your agent to lower the reported value now in preparation for next year’s application. Contact your insurance agent>.