What is an elevation certificate?
What is the use of an elevation certificate?
What does an elevation certificate look like?
Who prepares elevation certificates?
Are elevation certificates required to purchase flood insurance in all flood zone classifications?
Do elevation certificates reduce flood insurance premiums?
How long will it take to receive a quote from Premier Elevation Certificate Network, Inc.?
What should I do if I need an elevation certificate in a hurry?
What if I select standard delivery, but I now realize I need expedited delivery?
Do I have to be at the property during the surveying appointment?
If I want to be present for the surveying appointment, can I?
If I purchase an elevation certificate, what are the payment options?
What if I need to cancel my order?
What if I need to speak with someone following the service?
What is an elevation certificate?
The elevation certificate is an important administrative tool of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and an important risk management tool for property owners with buildings currently classified within FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA). An elevation certificate provides property information, Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) information, and information about the physical attributes and elevations of the subject building.
What is the use of an elevation certificate?
The elevation certificate is used primarily:
1. By insurance agents and insurance companies to determine the proper flood insurance premium rates for property owners purchasing flood insurance policies through the NFIP.
2. By property owners to support a request to FEMA for a Letter Of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter Of Map Revision (LOMR) to remove a building from a SFHA.
3. By local building officials during the development process to ensure that all newly constructed buildings comply with community floodplain management ordinances, which are based upon federal floodplain regulations set by FEMA.
4. By federally regulated lending institutions, and their flood zone determination vendors, to correct geographic errors made during the standard flood zone determination process.
What does an elevation certificate look like?
FEMA created the original elevation certificate form many years ago. Over the years, the form changed to include new information FEMA believes will enhance the use of the elevation certificate. Click here to view the current elevation certificate form, which is FEMA Form 81-31 and became effective January 1, 2007. FEMA will no longer accept older versions of the form.
Who prepares elevation certificates?
Surveyors, engineers and architects who are licensed to perform such work by the state in which the property is located may prepare elevation certificates. Most elevation certificates are prepared by surveyors licensed by the states in which the subject property is located.
Are elevation certificates required to purchase flood insurance in all flood zone classifications?
No. Elevation certificates are required in order to properly rate post-FIRM buildings, which are buildings constructed after the publication of the first FIRM in a particular community, for flood insurance zones A1-A30, AE, AH, A (with BFE), VE, V1-V30, V (with BFE), AR, AR/A, AR/AE, AR/A1-A30, AR/AH, and AR/AO. All of these flood zones are SFHA, where federal law requires federally regulated lending institutions (mortgage companies) to mandate the purchase of flood insurance coverage for loans where buildings located in the SFHA represent collateral.
Elevation certificates are not required to buy flood coverage for pre-FIRM buildings in the flood zones listed in the paragraph above, in A and V zones without BFE, in moderate risk flood zones B, X (shaded) and X-500, and in low risk flood zones C and X (unshaded).
Do elevation certificates reduce flood insurance premiums?
Very often, flood insurance premiums are reduced through the use of elevation certificates. In the absence of the data and information provided on elevation certificates, flood insurance companies assume the worst case scenario and charge the highest rates. Many property owners elect to purchase elevation certificates for pre-FIRM buildings in the high-risk flood zones to determine if the flood insurance premium rate would be lower if the buildings were rated according to post-FIRM rules. The property owner maintains the right to choose the lowest premium after premiums are calculated pre-FIRM and post-FIRM, so elevation certificates do not cause premiums to increase in these situations.
How long will it take to receive a quote from Premier Elevation Certificate Network, Inc.?
Our goal is to provide you with a quote within three (3) business days. All projects are unique and require personal attention to ensure the quote is appropriate for the complexity of the assignment. If the quote requires more than three days, we will contact you as soon as we identify the delay.
What should I do if I need an elevation certificate in a hurry?
Many clients require elevation certificates on short notice, particularly when the purchase of flood insurance is required for loan closings. Please advise Premier Elevation Certificate Network, Inc. whether or not you will require standard (15 business days) or expedited (5 business days) document delivery via our online “Free Quote" form. Please note that additional fees apply to all expedited delivery orders. If you choose expedited delivery and want to discuss your special needs further, please call us at (561) 253-9010. We will do our best to accommodate your request.
What if I select standard delivery, but I now realize I need expedited delivery?
Call us at (561) 253-9010 to discuss changing your order. We will do our best to accommodate your request.
Do I have to be at the property during the surveying appointment?
No, unless the surveyor or engineer requires access to the property and/or building. Examples of situations requiring special arrangements include, but are not limited to, gated communities, buildings with interior elevators and/or basements.
If I want to be present for the surveying appointment, can I?
Yes. Please advise us accordingly using the online form. We will contact you to coordinate arrangements.
If I purchase an elevation certificate, what are the payment options?
Premier Elevation Certificate Network, Inc. invoices commercial, condominium association and insurance agent clients on thirty (30) day payment terms at the time we deliver the hard copy elevation certificates. We send invoices to the contact name and address that appears on the binding estimate signed by the client before work is performed. We accept payment by check.
What if I need to cancel my order?
Once a client signs a work order, there is no cancellation.
What if I need to speak with someone following the service?
If you have concerns or questions about the service, please call your client relations representative at (561) 253-9010.