Last reviewed: October 2026.
McGriff-Williams Insurance is an independent agency in Gainesville, in business since 1983. We write flood insurance every day, and we’re licensed in Florida and serve clients in all 67 counties by phone, email and video. Whether you’re buying a home, new to Florida, renting, or own an apartment building or business, these guides are a good place to start.
These pages explain how Florida flood insurance works, in plain English and with sources. They’re general information. For your own policy, talk with a licensed agent.
Start here
- Citizens flood requirement: January 1, 2027. Citizens policies with wind coverage need flood insurance. See who’s exempt and what proof Citizens asks for.
- NFIP vs. private flood insurance. How the federal program and private flood policies differ.
- How flood premiums are figured. What FEMA’s rating looks at, including elevation certificates.
Flooding isn’t only a coastal problem
Florida’s Department of Financial Services notes that about 25% of flood claims happen in low-risk areas, and that standard homeowners policies usually don’t cover flood. (Florida DFS, Insurance Consumer Advocate)
Check your flood zone
You can look up your FEMA flood zone at the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. A map lookup is not an official determination.
What affects the cost of flood insurance?
Flood premiums depend on the property, not just the flood zone. The main factors are:
- The property’s flood risk: how often and from what sources it could flood (rivers, heavy rain, storm surge), its distance to water and its relative elevation.
- First-floor height. An elevation certificate can document it.
- Building type, foundation and the cost to rebuild.
- The coverage amounts and deductible you choose.
- Your community’s Community Rating System (CRS) class, which can discount NFIP policies.
- For renewing NFIP policies, federal limits on yearly increases while a policy moves toward its full-risk rate.
Private flood insurance companies use their own rating. For the details, including current local CRS classes, see how flood premiums are figured. We can’t give a price without a few details. Here’s what we need.
How to get a flood insurance quote
What we’ll need:
- Property address
- Year built and type of foundation, if you know it
- Whether it’s your primary residence
- An elevation certificate, if you have one
- Whether your lender requires flood coverage, and the amount
- Your current flood policy and expiration date, if you have one
- Building and contents amounts you’d like to consider
What happens next: A licensed member of our team will review your request and contact you by phone or email.
Why it isn’t instant: We compare options from multiple insurance companies, and coverage isn’t in place until it’s bound.
Flood waiting periods: New NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period before coverage starts, with some exceptions, such as coverage bought when you close on a mortgage. Private flood waiting periods vary by company.
Request a quote: Request a quote · Call (352) 371-7977 · Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
McGriff-Williams Insurance · 3501 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607
Helpful public resources
- FloodSmart.gov: FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program site. NFIP Help Center: 1-877-336-2627.
- FEMA Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate
- Florida DFS flood insurance page: consumer guides (English, Spanish and Haitian Creole) and a list of companies eligible to write private flood in Florida
- Citizens Property Insurance: flood requirements
Talk with us
Questions about flood insurance, or want to compare NFIP and private options? We’re glad to walk through it with you. Call (352) 371-7977 or contact us.
McGriff-Williams Insurance: Where confidence grows.
General information, not legal or coverage advice. Coverage depends on the policy issued, its terms and underwriting. Requirements current as of October 2026; confirm with your agent, insurer or Citizens. McGriff-Williams Insurance is an independent insurance agency licensed in Florida. We are not affiliated with FEMA, the NFIP or Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.
