FLOODING AND INSURANCE
Rain-laden clouds loom over Golden Gate Point in Sarasota on the morning of Sept. 25. Photo by Norman Schimmel
DURING A WEEK OF TORRENTIAL RAIN, THE COUNTY COMMISSION LEARNS
SARASOTA COUNTY HOMEOWNERS WILL STILL GET DISCOUNTS ON FLOOD
INSURANCE, IN SPITE OF COMING CHANGES TO A FEDERAL PROGRAM
By Rachel Brown Hackney
Editor
Because Sarasota County has been a participant in a flood insurance rating initiative since
1992, homeowners will still receive a discount
of up to 25 percent on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies, regardless
of federal efforts to eliminate subsidies in
the NFIP, the Sarasota County Commission
learned this week.
a year for an NFIP policy. The homeowner
has received a $418 discount because of the
county's participation in the Community Rating System (CRS), Companion said in a Sept.
25 presentation to the commission.
Even if the resident's flood insurance bill goes
up to $3,000 a year under the Biggert-Waters
Act, the homeowner still would enjoy savings,
In an example provided by Desiree Compan- Companion pointed out.
ion of the county's Environmental Utilities De- "So that discount actually becomes more meanpartment, one Sarasota resident who owns a ingful," said Commissioner Nora Patterson.
house built in the 1970s that is 1.9 feet below
base flood elevation has been paying $1,500 "Absolutely," Companion replied.
