City earns flood insurance discount for property owners | City of Sarasota
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
City of Sarasota, FL: Sarasota residents will soon receive a 25 percent discount on their flood insurance premiums thanks to an improved Community Rating System score earned by the City.
The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program.
In CRS communities, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community’s efforts to reduce and avoid flood damage to insurable property and foster comprehensive floodplain management.
The City was recently notified its CRS score has improved to a Class 5, thanks to high marks in a variety of criteria, including open space preservation, regulatory standards, drainage system maintenance and other flood protection efforts.
Property owners in the City limits already save an average of more than $200 annually on their flood insurance policies under Sarasota’s current Class 6 rating. City property owners will see the new 25 percent discount – bringing the average savings to $258 a year – on any new flood insurance policy or policy renewal on or after Oct. 1, 2022. Collectively, Sarasota residents will save more than $2 million on flood insurance thanks to the City’s work with the CRS program.
“We’re very pleased about this improved rating and the resulting benefits for city residents and property owners,” said City Manager Marlon Brown. “We appreciate the diligent efforts of Floodplain Manager Cyndi Cahill and Emergency Manager Todd Kerkering in helping Sarasota earn the enhanced Class 5 rating and mitigate our community’s flood risk.”
City officials are also reminding residents that homeowners’ insurance does not cover flooding, and with the start of the Atlantic hurricane season on June 1, now is the time to consider a flood insurance policy at the reduced rate. Even if you do not live in a flood zone, flood insurance is available. Visit FloodSmart.gov to find information on flood insurance and learn more about what’s covered.
For more information, contact Cyndi Cahill, Floodplain Manager, at [email protected] or 941-263-6491.