Do flood barriers lower insurance? It’s a common question and it’s something most property owners don’t know: on commercial properties, flood barriers aren’t just permitted. They can actually earn you an insurance discount.
The Miami Herald recently asked Flood Risk America how flood protection, insurance, and building code fit together. It’s a question that trips up a lot of people, from building owners to property managers to the agents who insure them. If you own, manage, or insure property anywhere flooding is a risk, here’s what to know.
For Businesses, Flood Barriers Are Nothing New
Commercial flood barriers have been accepted for decades. They’re permitted, they’re inspected, and they’re eligible for premium discounts through both the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and private insurers.
In other words, protecting a commercial building from flooding isn’t a gray area. It’s a well-established practice with a clear path from installation to inspection to coverage.
Why Certification Matters For Your Insurer
Insurers can only reward risk reduction they can measure. Certified flood protection products give them exactly that: tested, documented performance they can factor into how they price your coverage.That makes life easier for everyone involved. Owners get a clearer case for a discount, insurers get confidence in what they’re underwriting, and inspectors get a product with a known track record.
Homeowners Have Options Too
Flood protection isn’t only for commercial buildings. Temporary flood barriers are generally allowed on residential properties. There’s also a benefit many homeowners miss: NFIP will reimburse some of the cost of protecting your home when a flood is imminent. If you carry flood insurance, it’s worth asking your agent how that works for your policy.
However, here’s where it gets tricky. Permanent, bolted-on flood barriers for single-family homes in flood zones are a different story, and the rules vary from one community to the next. What’s allowed in one town may need extra approvals, or may not be allowed at all, a few miles away. Before you install anything permanent on a home in a flood zone, check with your local building department. Permitting matters.
Built For the Water and Code
Our flood protection is designed to meet code from the start: certified to Florida Building Code standards and FM Approved. Whether it’s a hospital, a shopping district, or a home, the goal is the same. Protection that holds up to the water, and to the inspector.
The right flood protection starts with the right product for your building. If you’re not sure what that is, that’s what we’re here for. Talk to a flood protection specialist about your property.
