Berkeley Township Qualifies For Flood Insurance Discount

BERKELEY, NJ — Local property owners will have the opportunity to save on flood insurance. Berkeley Township achieved Class 5 designation in the National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System.

Berkeley already earned a 20 percent discount under the CRS. Now all NFIP policy holders with compliant homes in Berkeley will receive a 25 percent discount on flood insurance.

The CRS program is designed to incentivize building regulations, flood protection measures, educational efforts and other activities to reduce the potential risk of flood damage. The program is voluntary for municipalities.

The NFIP scores participating communities based on public information, mapping and regulations, flood damage reduction and flood preparedness. The organization rates communities on a scale of 1-10 — the lower the rating, the better the discount.

Class 1 areas get a 45 percent premium reduction, whereas Class 10 communities — areas not participating in the optional program — don't get a discount. Here's more info on the Community Rating System.

Berkeley flood policy holders will average a total discount of $189, according to the Township. Overall, the nearly 2,700 policy holders will receive nearly $500,000 discount.

"I encourage all flood policy holders to contact their insurance broker to let them know of this change, so they can get benefit with a reduction in flood premiums," said Mayor Carmen Amato.

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