What is an elevation certificate?

Developed by Federal Emergency Management Agency, an elevation certificate tells at what elevation the lowest level of a building sits. It helps insurance companies know what the risk for flood damage is, and can help lower an insurance premium if the elevation certificate proves that the property risk is low.

Not every building is required to have an elevation certificate. If a home was built on or after the date of the community's initial Flood Insurance Rate Map (known as pre-FIRM), and has not been greatly improved upon since then, a certificate is not required. Also, if a local area is part of the Community Rating System, the certificate may already be on file.