What if your flood insurance bill dropped by a quarter? If you own or plan to buy in Boca Raton, insurance costs are top of mind, and even small changes can influence your budget and confidence. Here is what changed, who benefits, how to estimate savings, and how this shift may support buyer and seller sentiment. Let’s dive in.
What changed in Boca Raton
The City of Boca Raton has announced an increase in its FEMA Community Rating System (CRS) discount from 15% to 25% for qualifying NFIP policies. According to the City, the larger discount will appear on policies that renew on or after October 1, 2025. You can review the City’s guidance on its Floodplain Management page for details and updates on timing and eligibility on the City site.
Boca previously had a class that produced a 15% discount. The County’s CRS listing shows that earlier status and effective dates for local communities, which provides helpful context for the City’s advancement to the 25% level on renewals in late 2025. You can see the county’s CRS overview on Palm Beach County’s site.
CRS basics: how discounts work
The Community Rating System is a voluntary FEMA program that rewards communities for floodplain management activities that exceed NFIP minimums. Communities earn credits across public information, mapping and regulations, flood damage reduction, and warning and response. Those credits translate into CRS classes that correspond to uniform premium reductions. Learn more about the program and discount schedule from FEMA.
CRS discounts apply to the NFIP “full-risk” premium that FEMA calculates under Risk Rating 2.0. The discount is then taken as a percentage reduction of that full-risk premium. The CRS change improves the discount rate, but it does not change your flood zone or physical risk.
Who qualifies in Boca Raton
Eligibility depends on location and policy type:
- You must be inside the City of Boca Raton municipal limits. A Boca Raton mailing address alone does not guarantee eligibility. Confirm jurisdiction with city or county parcel tools and the county’s CRS listing here.
- You need a qualifying NFIP policy in good standing. Condominium associations and commercial policies may be eligible depending on the policy and compliance. The City outlines coverage considerations on its Insure Your Property page.
- The higher discount appears on renewals effective on or after October 1, 2025, so check your upcoming renewal cycle on your declarations page.
What this could mean for your premium
Think about the increase as a 10 percentage-point boost in the discount, from 15% to 25%, applied to your NFIP full-risk premium.
- Example: If your full-risk premium is $1,000 per year, a 15% discount saves $150. A 25% discount saves $250. The improvement is an additional $100 per year once the new class applies at renewal.
- Simple formula: additional annual savings = (new discount − old discount) × full-risk premium.
Your actual premium is unique to your property. FEMA’s CRS overview explains how the discount is applied to full-risk premiums under Risk Rating 2.0 on FEMA’s site.
Market confidence: what to expect
Lower recurring insurance costs improve affordability, which can support buyer interest at the margin. Research shaping public policy in Florida highlights that pricing and discounts are key drivers of flood insurance take-up, which can influence how buyers view long-term ownership costs. See a summary of that work from Florida State University here.
CRS programs also correlate with reduced claims where strong mitigation activities are in place. A review shared by Florida Realtors discusses how CRS measures can lower damages and support community resilience, which can bolster buyer confidence over time. Read the summary from Florida Realtors.
At the same time, remember that mapping updates can change flood zones and insurance requirements independent of CRS. Palm Beach County’s updated flood maps took effect on December 20, 2024, and added some properties to higher risk zones in the eastern county. You can review the county’s update on Palm Beach County’s planning page. The new CRS discount reduces cost, but it does not alter flood risk or zone designations.
Action checklist for Boca owners and buyers
- Confirm municipal jurisdiction. Verify that the property is inside the City of Boca Raton limits. If it is in unincorporated Palm Beach County or another municipality, a different CRS class may apply. The county’s CRS overview is a good starting point here.
- Review your NFIP declarations page. Look for the community number and CRS class. If your renewal is on or after October 1, 2025 and you do not see the new discount, contact your insurance agent to confirm timing. FEMA explains CRS mechanics here.
- Track timing and renewals. The City notes that higher savings apply to renewals effective on or after October 1, 2025. You can confirm City guidance on the Floodplain Management page.
- Use precise listing language. If you are selling, consider phrasing such as: “City of Boca Raton CRS discount increased to 25%. Some NFIP policies will reflect the new savings at renewal on or after October 1, 2025. Confirm with your insurance agent.” The City’s insurance resource is available here.
- Model ownership costs. Factor the potential discount into your annual budget along with taxes, homeowners insurance, and maintenance. Flood insurance discount information is also summarized by FEMA and partners on FloodSmart.
Key reminders
- The new CRS discount is city-specific, and only properties inside Boca Raton’s municipal limits may qualify.
- Savings appear at renewal dates on or after October 1, 2025, not before.
- The discount reduces premium cost, not flood risk or zone.
- Always verify your policy details with your insurance agent.
If you want tailored, property-specific guidance on how this change fits your buy or sell strategy in Boca Raton, connect with Stephanie for a confidential conversation. Reach out to Stephanie Schwed to align timing, underwriting, and negotiations with your goals.
FAQs
Do all properties with a Boca Raton address get the 25% CRS discount?
- No. Only properties inside the City of Boca Raton municipal boundaries with qualifying NFIP policies are eligible. Confirm jurisdiction and policy details using City and County resources, including the City’s insurance page here.
When will I see the larger discount on my NFIP bill in Boca Raton?
- The City states the 25% discount applies to NFIP policies that renew on or after October 1, 2025. Check your renewal date and confirm timing with your insurer using the City’s guidance here.
Does the CRS discount change my flood zone or reduce my property’s flood risk?
- No. CRS affects premium cost only. Flood-zone designations and physical risk are determined by FEMA mapping and your property’s characteristics, which you can learn about through FEMA’s CRS overview here.
How do CRS discounts interact with FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 pricing?
- FEMA first calculates your full-risk premium under Risk Rating 2.0. The CRS discount is then applied as a percentage reduction. FEMA explains this relationship in its CRS program materials here.
Will the new discount increase home values in Boca Raton?
- The larger discount can improve affordability and buyer sentiment, which may support confidence, but prices depend on many factors. Research on CRS and flood insurance participation is summarized by Florida Realtors here.
How much might I save each year with the new CRS discount?
- Additional savings roughly equal 10% of your NFIP full-risk premium because the discount rises from 15% to 25%. For example, a $1,000 full-risk premium would see about $100 in extra annual savings after the change. Learn how CRS discounts are applied from FEMA.
