Overview of the Program from SWBC
SWBC’s Excess Flood Insurance program provides agents with a competitive, flexible excess flood product to offer homeowners. This program is designed to sit above a primary flood policy (such as a private flood policy or the NFIP) and deliver broader limits and enhanced coverages without the federal fees or assessments that are commonly associated with FEMA policies.
Program Features
Program Features:
Ideal Accounts and Appetite
This program is a strong fit for independent agents placing residential flood exposure where a client needs limits or coverages beyond a primary policy. Typical accounts include:
- Primary residences in flood-prone or coastal areas
- Second homes and seasonal residences
- Owner-occupied rental properties (subject to underwriting)
- Properties with a history of flood exposure that need enhanced repair/replacement options
Accounts that typically do not fit include large commercial flood portfolios or highly complex commercial structures better suited for specialized commercial flood markets. If you’re unsure, submit the risk — SWBC underwriters can provide fast feedback.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
SWBC’s Excess Flood Insurance emphasizes speed, clarity, and practical coverages agents can explain to clients. Key advantages:
- Excess limits to supplement a primary flood policy
- No federal fees or assessments charged on the excess policy
- Enhanced repair and replacement options available
- Preferred-rate programs for qualifying exposures
- Competitive placement turnaround to help you win and retain business
Underwriting Notes and Effective Dates
Underwriting focuses on the property’s flood exposure, prior loss history, construction details, and current primary flood placement. Note the common industry timing differences: many standard NFIP/FEMA policies carry a 30-day waiting period before new coverage will respond to a claim. SWBC’s excess flood policies, however, have much shorter effective timing — policies are effective 5 days after the initial premium payment is received — which can help you close sales and reduce client waiting time. As with any flood placement, elevation certificates, loss history, and details of the primary flood policy will accelerate underwriting.
Territories and Availability
SWBC offers this Excess Flood Insurance program in the following states and territories: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, DC, WV, WI, WY. If you have a placement outside this list, check with SWBC for availability or referral options.
Why Work with SWBC on Excess Flood
As a wholesale broker/program administrator, SWBC pairs underwriting expertise with fast service to help agents place residential flood excess coverage efficiently. The program is designed to be straightforward to quote and issue, provides enhanced coverages not always available through FEMA/NFIP, and avoids federal assessments on the excess policy. If you need prompt underwriting decisions and a market that can respond to clients in flood-prone areas, SWBC is positioned to help.
You might have a client who owns a coastal second home that already carries an NFIP policy but needs higher limits for contents and structure — SWBC’s excess program can provide those additional limits and enhanced repair coverage. Or you might have a homeowner in a high-risk river flood zone who needs faster effective coverage than the NFIP waiting period allows — SWBC’s shorter effective timing can be a selling point.
Contact your SWBC wholesaler or underwriter to discuss submissions and obtain a quote. Call or email today so you can ensure your clients have the Excess Flood Insurance protection they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for SWBC’s Excess Flood Insurance?
Residential accounts that need limits or coverages beyond a primary flood policy are ideal: primary homes, second homes, and owner-occupied rentals in flood-prone areas. The program is aimed at typical homeowner flood exposures rather than large commercial or complex industrial risks.
How soon does SWBC coverage become effective?
SWBC excess flood policies are effective 5 days after the initial premium payment is received. Keep in mind that NFIP/FEMA policies commonly have a 30-day waiting period for new coverage; SWBC’s shorter timing can be useful when clients need faster excess protection.
Are federal fees or assessments charged on this excess policy?
No. Unlike FEMA/NFIP policies, SWBC’s Excess Flood Insurance does not include federal fees or assessments on the excess policy.
What information helps speed underwriting?
Providing the property address, current flood zone (FEMA zone if known), recent loss history, an elevation certificate when available, and the declarations page for any primary flood policy will help SWBC underwriters evaluate risks and issue quotes more quickly.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.