Why You (Probably) Cant Get Private Flood Insurance on an RL Home

You’re discovering that it’s extremely difficult to find flood insurance for your property.

Maybe you’ve tried to get private flood insurance—only to be told it’s not available. Or maybe your current policy is suddenly non-renewed with no clear explanation. It’s confusing, frustrating, and usually happens at the worst possible time—like when you’re trying to refinance or sell your home.

At The Flood Insurance Guru, we’ve helped thousands of homeowners navigate situations just like this. One of the most common reasons people are denied private flood insurance is something they’ve never even heard of: FEMA’s Repetitive Loss (RL) designation.

In this article, we’ll explain what it means to own a Repetitive Loss property, why private flood insurance carriers often refuse to cover them, and most importantly—what you can do about it.

What Is a Repetitive Loss (RL) Property?

A Repetitive Loss (RL) property is one that has experienced multiple flood insurance claims, typically under FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). These aren’t just minor issues. FEMA defines RL properties as:

• Two or more paid flood claims of $1,000 or more
• Within a 10-year rolling period

This classification follows the property, not the owner. So even if you’ve never filed a claim, if previous owners did, that history can block your access to private flood insurance today.

Why Private Flood Insurance Carriers Say “No” to RL Properties

Private flood insurance carriers often reject RL homes because of the elevated flood risk they represent. Unlike the NFIP, which is federally backed and must offer coverage regardless of risk, private insurers are for-profit businesses. They use advanced flood modeling tools to ensure they’re only insuring properties within their risk threshold.

At The Flood Insurance Guru, we see this every day—especially for homes that have had flood losses in the last five years. Some homeowners are denied outright, while others receive non-renewal notices because the insurer is pulling out of the region or adjusting their guidelines.

What You Can Do If You Own an RL Property

If you’ve been denied private flood insurance due to RL status, you’re not out of options. Here’s what to consider next:

1. Stick with the NFIP—for now

The National Flood Insurance Program remains the most reliable fallback. It doesn’t non-renew based on flood history, and even RL properties can get coverage.

That said, it comes with some limitations:

• $250,000 building coverage
• $100,000 contents coverage (in standard communities)
• Lower limits in emergency communities
• Statutory rate increases up to 18% per year

2. Request Your FEMA Flood Loss History

You can verify whether your home is classified as an RL property by requesting a flood loss history report from FEMA. This is a document only you, the homeowner, can request—not your insurance agent.

3. Consider Mitigation to Lower Risk

In some cases, we’ve been able to place RL homes with private insurers after showing that significant mitigation has been done, such as:

• Elevating the home or major systems
• Installing flood vents
• Relocating mechanical equipment above flood levels

You’re Not Stuck—You Just Need a Different Strategy

If you’ve been denied private flood insurance, the reason may be hidden in your property’s history as an RL home. While frustrating, it’s a solvable problem.

The RL designation can block your access to cheaper, more flexible insurance—but it doesn’t mean you’re out of options.

Start by requesting your flood loss report from FEMA. If you’re unsure how to do this or want help exploring coverage options, contact us. We can walk you through the process and help you make the best decision.

At The Flood Insurance Guru, we specialize in helping high-risk property owners navigate complex flood insurance situations—whether you’re buying, selling, or just trying to keep coverage in place.