Community Rating System (CRS)
The Community Rating System (CRS) program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It is designed to incentivize and reward communities for implementing floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The CRS operates voluntarily, allowing participating communities to earn discounts on flood insurance premiums for their residents.
Communities enrolled in the CRS engage in various activities to reduce flood risk and increase resilience. These activities cover many areas, including floodplain management, public outreach, education, flood mapping, flood damage reduction, and warning systems. By implementing these measures, communities can enhance their flood preparedness and response capabilities.
The CRS assigns communities a rating based on their level of participation and the effectiveness of their floodplain management activities. Ratings range from Class 1 to Class 10, with Class 1 representing the highest level of participation and Class 10 indicating minimal participation.
Current Rating
The City is currently a Class 5 CRS Community, providing up to 25% discounts on flood insurance. When renewing your Flood Insurance Policy, please check for the "Community Rating Number" stated on your policy; in Key West, it should read "120168."
Should your policy indicate something other than "Class 5" and your property is within the Key West city limits, please call your insurance agent to correct the error.
Insurance Discounts
- Policyholders within type "AE," "AO" or "VE" flood zones will automatically receive a 25% discount off their rates (not of any accompanying policy fees).
- Policyholders in type "X" flood zones - where flood insurance is already very inexpensive - aren't eligible for CRS discounts.
- Some "X" zone policyholders may receive a 10% discount if they have a "Standard Rate" policy, which is more expensive than a "Preferred Rate" policy.