Which U.S. agency administers the National Flood Insurance Program?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency administers the National Flood Insurance Program in the United States.

The National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP, was created by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. FEMA administers the program, which provides federally backed flood insurance and works with participating communities to encourage floodplain management and mitigation.

Most standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage, making the NFIP an important source of coverage in participating communities. Policies may be sold and serviced through private insurance companies under arrangements with the federal program, even though the program itself is federally administered.

The NFIP is different from ordinary private property insurance and from FEMA’s disaster assistance. Disaster assistance may be limited and often takes the form of a loan or grant after a declared event; flood insurance is a contract that can pay covered claims subject to its terms, limits, exclusions, and deductibles.