KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Eligible property owners in the City of Kissimmee will soon pay less for flood insurance after the city earned one of the highest Community Rating System classifications in Central Florida through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program.
Beginning October 1, 2026, most eligible National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies issued or renewed within the city will qualify for a 25% premium discount, thanks to Kissimmee’s improved Class 5 rating under FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS). The city previously held a Class 7 rating, which provided a 15% discount.
The rating improvement follows a comprehensive five-year evaluation of the city’s floodplain management efforts conducted by Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), FEMA’s contractor for the CRS program. During the 2025 review, Kissimmee earned 2,659 credit points—well above the minimum required for a Class 5 designation.
City officials say the upgrade reflects years of work to strengthen flood protection, improve emergency preparedness, and reduce flood risks throughout the community.
“Flooding can affect properties throughout our community, not just those in high-risk flood zones,” said Nagel Altrui, the City of Kissimmee’s Floodplain Manager. “Our voluntary participation in the National Flood Insurance Program and continued investment in floodplain management help reduce flood risk, improve community preparedness, and provide eligible property owners with significant savings on flood insurance.”
The Community Rating System is a voluntary program that rewards communities for going beyond the minimum floodplain management standards required by the National Flood Insurance Program. Communities receive classifications ranging from Class 9, which provides a 5% discount, to Class 1, offering discounts of up to 45%. Kissimmee’s new Class 5 designation places it among a relatively small number of communities nationwide to achieve that level.
According to city officials, the improved classification was made possible through ongoing efforts by the City’s Public Works and Engineering Department and Stormwater and Flood Prevention Division. Those efforts include maintaining detailed floodplain development records, updating floodplain management plans, strengthening local flood protection ordinances, conducting public education and outreach, and regularly reviewing emergency response procedures following flooding events.
The city also completes an annual CRS recertification to maintain its classification, with a full verification conducted every five years.
While the new rating brings immediate financial benefits to eligible policyholders, city officials say the larger goal remains protecting lives and property by reducing the community’s vulnerability to flooding.
Eligible NFIP policyholders within the City of Kissimmee will begin receiving the 25% flood insurance premium discount on most policies issued or renewed on or after October 1, 2026.
