NEED FLOOD INSURANCE?
We can provide it through the National Flood Insurance program (NFIP).
As Hawaii’s largest writer of flood insurance through the NFIP, we are committed to providing essential flood protection. Flood losses are not usually covered by homeowners’ insurance. If you want flood coverage, you can apply for coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Founded in 1968, the NFIP was created to be a self-supporting entity, paying claims from the premiums collected, and is now fully integrated into Risk Rating 2.0 – the new pricing methodology used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to calculate flood insurance premiums for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Fully implemented in April 2023, it replaces the previous zone-based system with an individualized, property-specific risk assessment to ensure more equitable and transparent rates.
Download the NFIP Flood Insurance Manual
FEMA – Summary of Flood Insurance Policy Coverage
FEMA Flood Insurance Claims Handbook
Already a First Insurance flood customer?
Click here to manage your flood policy through the ManageFlood Portal.
FEMA Definition of a Flood
A flood is a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land, or two or more properties, from an overflow of inland or tidal waters, unusual surface water runoff, or mudflows. It also includes the collapse or subsidence of land along a body of water due to wave or current action.
Key components of the FEMA definition:
- Inundation: The condition must be a partial or complete covering by water.
- Scope: It must affect either two or more acres of normally dry land or two or more properties.
- Causes: The flooding can be caused by:
- Overflow of inland or tidal waters
- Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source
- Mudflows, which are like rivers of liquid flowing mud
- Collapse or sinking of land along a lake or similar body of water, caused by erosion or undermining from waves or currents
Primary Residence
A primary residence is a residence an insured will occupy more than 50 percent of the policy term.
Surcharge
To help offset flood program deficiencies, a federally mandated surcharge applies to all personal new and renewed policies. The surcharge is $25 for all Primary Residence policies (as defined above) and $250 for all other policies. Primary Residence eligibility must be validated before policy issuance to avoid the more costly $250 surcharge. The surcharge is fully earned and is not eligible for refunds due to cancellation or reduction of coverage.