New rating will decrease Longboat Key flood insurance bills

Longboat Key residents will see decreases in their flood insurance bills in the coming year, thanks to a new rating being recommended for the town.

Public Works Project Manager James Linkogle announced Nov. 25 that the town is being recommended by Insurance Services Office Inc. for an upgraded Class 5 Community status for the next year, which will provide an additional 5% discount for Longboat Key citizens and property owners with National Flood Insurance Program policies. 

The new rating now provides Longboaters with a new maximum 25% total discount on their policies. The previous maximum discount was 20%.

The new classification was received by analyzing six different categories that include open space preservation, higher regulatory standards, drainage maintenance and flood warning and response among other categories.

“This improvement in rating is due to the good work of (Projects Manager) James Linkogle, (Senior Planner) Steve Schield, (Building Official) Darin Cushing and the citizens who served on the advisory committee for this cycle,” wrote Town Manager Dave Bullock in an Nov. 25 email to the Longboat Key Town Commission.

The improved rating recommendation is still under review and pending approval by the Florida Emergency Management Association (FEMA).

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].