National Flood Services
Carrier website links, underwriting access points, mapped product lines, and appetite notes in one place.
This appetite summary is only a guide. Confirm eligibility, submission requirements, restrictions, and binding authority directly with the carrier or underwriter before relying on it.
Carrier appetite summary
National Flood Services (NFS) administers and services flood insurance, primarily National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) business, for carrier partners and the NFIP Direct program. Underwriting and risk eligibility are governed by FEMA/NFIP rules and the current NFIP Flood Insurance Manual rather than a proprietary NFS appetite. Preferred / target business - 1–4 family residential, small multifamily, and standard commercial occupancies in NFIP-participating communities where a regular program is in force. - Risks with complete, accurate flood zone, elevation, construction, and occupancy information; policies written in compliance with mandatory purchase requirements for properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). - Agents and agencies that complete NFIP training and use NFIP/agents.floodsmart.gov tools for quoting, risk explanation, and mitigation discussions.([agents.floodsmart.gov](https://agents.floodsmart.gov/insurance-specialist-toolkit?utm_source=openai)) Restricted / declined risks (by NFIP rules) - Properties in communities that do not participate or are suspended from the NFIP; these are not eligible for NFIP coverage. - Certain buildings primarily below ground, severe repetitive loss properties without required mitigation, and structures not meeting NFIP insurability definitions (e.g., over-water structures that fail NFIP criteria, extremely unstable or exposed locations, or otherwise uninsurable per NFIP Flood Insurance Manual). - New construction or substantial improvements in Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) areas and certain Otherwise Protected Areas (OPAs), where NFIP is prohibited from writing coverage. - Other structural types, contents-only situations, or occupancy types that NFIP specifically excludes in the current manual; NFS must follow those eligibility rules.([fema.gov](https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance/outreach-resources?utm_source=openai)) Geographic notes - NFIP coverage is available only in participating U.S. communities and territories; community participation, zone, and flood-map data must be verified using FEMA mapping tools or NFIP resources before quoting and binding. - Rating is based on NFIP Risk Rating methodology (currently Risk Rating 2.0), which uses property-specific characteristics rather than only mapped zones; NFS systems and NFIP tools must be used to calculate premiums and communicate risk-based pricing to clients.([fema.gov](https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance/outreach-resources?utm_source=openai)) Submission / underwriting process (operational expectations) - Agents must be enrolled and appointed with the writing carrier or NFIP Direct as administered by NFS; access is via the NFS / myflood.com agent portal for quoting, applications, endorsements and servicing.([msains.myflood.com](https://msains.myflood.com/?utm_source=openai)) - Use NFIP agent platforms (agents.floodsmart.gov) and the NFIP quote and training tools to gather and document: full property address, NFIP community number and participation status, current flood zone, building diagram type, number of floors, enclosure/basement details, foundation type, elevation certificate data (when required), occupancy and use, prior loss information, and desired limits and deductibles. - Follow NFIP Flood Insurance Manual rules for effective dates, waiting periods (standard 30‑day wait with limited exceptions such as loan closings and map revisions), and documentation of mandatory purchase compliance. - Claims handling and loss documentation follow NFIP claims procedures; NFS service centers and NFIP Direct hotlines support reporting and guidance, but coverage decisions must align with NFIP policy forms and manuals.([fema.gov](https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance/outreach-resources?utm_source=openai)) Broker / producer notes - NFS positions itself as a servicing and technology provider; agents should treat NFIP publications and FEMA manuals as the controlling underwriting source. NFS web content and training are explicitly described as for general information only and not a substitute for official NFIP publications.([msains.myflood.com](https://msains.myflood.com/?utm_source=openai)) - Agents are encouraged to leverage NFIP training (webinars and courses listed on agents.floodsmart.gov), the Insurance Specialist Toolkit, and NFIP Agent FAQs and selling guides for marketing, compliance, and to explain coverage limits and exclusions clearly to insureds.([agents.floodsmart.gov](https://agents.floodsmart.gov/insurance-specialist-toolkit?utm_source=openai)) Operationally, treat underwriting and appetite for National Flood Services-administered business as identical to current NFIP eligibility and rating rules; defer to the latest NFIP Flood Insurance Manual and FEMA bulletins for any specific risk acceptability questions or exceptions.