--- title: "FEMA launches online flood insurance purchase tool on Floodsmart.gov" description: "Property owners in almost 22,700 NFIP communities can now get a quote and buy a flood policy online, with no agent required." url: https://insurance.skoop.news/fema-launches-new-option-for-flood-insurance-93cb3f/ published: 2026-10-25T07:42:20.810068-04:00 modified: 2026-10-25T07:42:20.810068-04:00 section: "Insurance" publisher: "skoop.news" language: en keywords: ["FEMA", "National Flood Insurance Program", "FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton", "North Carolinians", "United States", "NFIP", "American", "Floodsmart.gov", "HVAC", "insurance"] hashtags: ["#NationalFloodInsuranceProgram", "#NorthCarolinians", "#Insurance", "#insurancenews"] image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Figure_1-_Number_of_National_Flood_Insurance_Program_%28NFIP%29_Policies_in_Force%2C_1978-2013_%2813985694257%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled --- # FEMA launches online flood insurance purchase tool on Floodsmart.gov > Property owners in almost 22,700 NFIP communities can now get a quote and buy a flood policy online, with no agent required. Published 2026-10-25 · Insurance, [skoop.news](https://skoop.news/) ## In brief - Anyone living in one of almost 22,700 participating NFIP communities can now buy a National Flood Insurance Program policy completely online through Floodsmart.gov. [[1]](https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/news/local-news/2026/10/fema-launches-new-option-for-flood-insurance/) - Users get a quote on Floodsmart.gov after providing basic information. [[1]](https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/news/local-news/2026/10/fema-launches-new-option-for-flood-insurance/) - FEMA says the self-service digital purchase option helps reduce major barriers and makes flood insurance more accessible. [[3]](https://www.wnct.com/news/fema-launches-new-online-tool-to-buy-flood-insurance/) ## A policy in a matter of minutes Anyone living in one of almost 22,700 participating NFIP communities can now buy a National Flood Insurance Program policy completely online through Floodsmart.gov. [[1]](https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/news/local-news/2026/10/fema-launches-new-option-for-flood-insurance/) FEMA has launched the tool, and it is accessible nationwide. [[1]](https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/news/local-news/2026/10/fema-launches-new-option-for-flood-insurance/) FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton said the tool lets people get a quote and buy a flood insurance policy in a matter of minutes. [[1]](https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/news/local-news/2026/10/fema-launches-new-option-for-flood-insurance/) He also said he has seen firsthand how floodwaters devastate American communities. [[1]](https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/news/local-news/2026/10/fema-launches-new-option-for-flood-insurance/) ## How the tool works Users get a quote on Floodsmart.gov after providing basic information. [[1]](https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/news/local-news/2026/10/fema-launches-new-option-for-flood-insurance/) Homeowners can get a free quote after entering details such as address, foundation type, construction type, elevation, and location of HVAC systems. [[2]](https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/10/23/890151.htm) After getting a quote, users can purchase a policy online or through an insurance agent. [[1]](https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/news/local-news/2026/10/fema-launches-new-option-for-flood-insurance/) Customers can also take the quote to an agent. [[2]](https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/10/23/890151.htm) The portal can provide contact information for three licensed insurance agents in the customer's state. [[2]](https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/10/23/890151.htm) ## Why FEMA built it FEMA says the self-service digital purchase option helps reduce major barriers and makes flood insurance more accessible. [[3]](https://www.wnct.com/news/fema-launches-new-online-tool-to-buy-flood-insurance/) Hamilton said the tool demonstrates how FEMA is working to cut bureaucracy and deliver results to the American people. [[3]](https://www.wnct.com/news/fema-launches-new-online-tool-to-buy-flood-insurance/) FEMA also launched a digital self-service tool that makes it easier for North Carolinians to financially prepare for floods. [[3]](https://www.wnct.com/news/fema-launches-new-online-tool-to-buy-flood-insurance/) Floods are the most common and expensive natural disaster in the United States, and flood insurance gives financial protection against these unexpected events. [[3]](https://www.wnct.com/news/fema-launches-new-online-tool-to-buy-flood-insurance/) ## Coverage gaps and the program's future Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowners and renters insurance policies. [[2]](https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/10/23/890151.htm) Flood coverage is available from the NFIP, administered by FEMA, as well as from providers in the private insurance market. [[2]](https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/10/23/890151.htm) The GAO said many properties remain at risk because FEMA's flood zones do not account for all flood risks, such as from heavy rainfall. [[2]](https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/10/23/890151.htm) A related headline reports that the National Flood Insurance Program's authority is set to expire in December. [[2]](https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/10/23/890151.htm) ## What it means for you If you live in one of almost 22,700 participating NFIP communities, you can buy an NFIP policy online. [[1]](https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/news/local-news/2026/10/fema-launches-new-option-for-flood-insurance/) You get a quote after providing basic information, and you can then buy online or through an agent. [[1]](https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/news/local-news/2026/10/fema-launches-new-option-for-flood-insurance/) If you have a federally backed mortgage and live in a designated flood zone, you are required to buy flood insurance. [[2]](https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/10/23/890151.htm) Because standard homeowners and renters policies do not cover flood damage, a separate policy is the route to that protection. [[2]](https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/10/23/890151.htm) ## Sources 1. [FEMA launches new option for flood insurance](https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/news/local-news/2026/10/fema-launches-new-option-for-flood-insurance/) — The Daily News 2. [FEMA Launches Online Purchasing for Flood Insurance Policies](https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/10/23/890151.htm) — Insurance Journal 3. [FEMA launches new online tool to buy flood insurance](https://www.wnct.com/news/fema-launches-new-online-tool-to-buy-flood-insurance/) — Yahoo Image: Photo: U.S. Government Accountability Office from Washington, DC, United States / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Figure_1-_Number_of_National_Flood_Insurance_Program_(NFIP)_Policies_in_Force,_1978-2013_(13985694257).jpg) --- Written from the sources above and checked twice (rules and an independent model) before publishing. How we work: https://skoop.news/how-we-work/ · Corrections: https://skoop.news/corrections/