Community Rating System (CRS)

What is the CRS Program?

The National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk culminating from community actions meeting the three goals of the CRS:

Reduce flood damage to insurable property.
Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP.
Encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management.

Click on the links below to learn more about the Community Rating System:

2023 CRS Brochure

How much of a flood insurance premium can a community earn?

Flood insurance premium reductions are determined by a community's CRS Class. Policy holders in a CRS community can receive premium reductions of 5% up to 45% for an insured building.

What are CRS Classes?

Each CRS participating community is assigned a Class number ranging from 1 to 10, based on credit points earned for implementing various floodplain management practices. CRS Class 1 is the highest classification, and CRS Class 9 is an introductory Class.

The table below shows the number of points required for each class and the corresponding discount received on insurance premiums. Nassau County is a class 7 so its citizens receive a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums.

CRS Class	CRS Discount
1	45%
2	40%
3	35%
4	30%
5	25%
6	20%
7	15%
8	10%
9	5%

Nassau County actively participates in the NFIP and the CRS on behalf of residents living in unincorporated areas. As a result of county staff employees' efforts, our class ranking improved in 2022 from a Class 8 to a Class 7. This allows all flood insurance premiums in the unincorporated areas of Nassau County to receive a discount of 15%. The City of Fernandina Beach policies receive a discount based on their class ranking which is currently a 6. They receive a 20% discount.

Interesting Statistic

The NFIP is a nationwide voluntary program for which communities have to apply to participate. Only communities participating in the NFIP can participate in the CRS program. Currently there are 1520 communities in the nation which are members of the CRS program.

What Are the Benefits of Being a Community Rating System Community?

The money saved through reduced flood insurance premiums stays within our community and thus helping our local economy.
The activities credited by the CRS program provide direct benefits to the community, including enhanced public safety, reduction in damage to property and public infrastructure, reduction of human suffering and protection of the environment.
The public outreach activities will build a more knowledgeable constituency interested in supporting and improving flood protection measures, and the protection of natural floodplains.
CRS activities improve flood protection and mitigation coordination between County and other community organizations.

The CRS increases public awareness of the importance of having flood insurance as well as helps facilitate more accurate insurance ratings for the benefit of policy holders.

Nassau County's Official Community Rating System Plaque

On May 1st of 2017, Unincorporated Nassau County was officially admitted to the National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System.

Floodplain Management Outreach

Nassau County and the City of Fernandina Beach are working together to form a joint Program for Public Information (PPI). An instrumental part of the PPI is community outreach. Every year the two communities display their flood model at the annual Shrimp Fest in addition to having a monthly table at the Farmer's Market in downtown Fernandina Beach where they provide brochures and discuss the importance of flood preparedness and flood insurance in addition to other outreach efforts.