If your property is located on or near a body of water you might be in what FEMA had determined to be a "Special Flood Hazard Zone”. If you are in one of these zones a lender will require you to purchase flood insurance. The flood zone that you are in is used by insurance companies to determine your rate. If you believe that your home is not at risk of flooding you can hire a surveyor to complete an Elevation Certificate and if you qualify you can obtain a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). This document will show your homes and surrounding elevations and can be provided by FEMA that will basically exempt the described structure from having flood insurance.