The NCIP private flood alternative. Broader coverage than NFIP, expanded limits, instant underwriting on 95% of applications, and competitive pricing for Minnesota's inland flood risks.
CATcoverage.com is owned and operated by Poulton Associates, an insurance organization with a pedigree dating to 1978 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. CATcoverage is best known for administering the Natural Catastrophe Insurance Program (NCIP) — described as the nation's first and largest private flood insurance program designed to compete directly with the NFIP. Every carrier on CATcoverage's platform carries an AM Best rating of A+ or better, with financial size VII or higher — ensuring that the private flood coverage clients obtain through CATcoverage is backed by genuinely strong carriers.
The CATcoverage platform shops multiple carriers for each submission, presenting the best price and coverage combination automatically. 95% of flood applications are underwritten instantly — no waiting for an underwriter review. The 5% that require human review are typically handled within one business day. For agents, this means private flood quotes are available in minutes for virtually any residential or commercial property.
Tom Wertish uses Cat Coverage as a private flood alternative for Minnesota clients — particularly for inland flood risks where NFIP's limitations make it a poor fit. Minnesota's flood risk profile is primarily inland — heavy rainfall, overflowing storm drains, saturated ground — rather than coastal storm surge. For homes in low-to-moderate flood zones where NFIP pricing has increased significantly under Risk Rating 2.0, Cat Coverage's NCIP consistently produces competitive alternatives. No waiting period, expanded limits, and pricing that often beats NFIP for lower-risk properties.
Why Tom reaches for Cat Coverage when Minnesota clients need private flood coverage.
| Feature | NCIP / Cat Coverage | NFIP |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting Period | None | 30 Days |
| Coverage Limits | Higher than NFIP | $250K Building / $100K Contents |
| Contents Replacement Cost | Available | ACV Only |
| Additional Living Expense | Available (up to 10% of building) | Not Available |
| Detached Structures | Available (up to 20% of building) | Very Limited |
| Underwriting Speed | 95% Instant | Standard Process |
| Congressional Lapse Risk | None | Subject to Reauthorization |
The Natural Catastrophe Insurance Program (NCIP) administered through CATcoverage is the largest private flood insurance facility in the United States. That scale matters — it means significant capacity, competitive pricing across diverse risk profiles, and the institutional stability of a program backed by billions of dollars in force. Every carrier on the NCIP platform holds AM Best A+ or better, providing the financial strength that lenders and sophisticated clients require.
CATcoverage underwrites 95% of flood applications instantly — no waiting for an underwriter review, no delays. The remaining 5% are typically handled within one business day. And unlike NFIP's standard 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect, NCIP coverage through Cat Coverage has no waiting period. For clients who discover a flood coverage need urgently — during a home purchase, before a storm, or after a coverage gap is identified — Cat Coverage's instant underwriting and immediate effective date is a genuine operational advantage.
Tom's experience with Cat Coverage for Minnesota clients has been consistent: very competitive with inland flood risks. Minnesota's flood exposure is primarily inland — heavy rainfall, saturated ground, overflowing drainage — rather than coastal storm surge. NFIP's Risk Rating 2.0 has increased pricing for many Minnesota properties. Cat Coverage's platform shops multiple carriers for each submission, consistently producing competitive private flood quotes that often undercut NFIP rates for lower-risk properties.
Cat Coverage's NCIP product includes coverage options NFIP doesn't offer: replacement cost on contents (NFIP pays ACV only), additional living expense coverage when displaced (up to 10% of building limit, max $25K), and detached structure coverage (up to 20% of building limit). For clients whose flood risk includes meaningful contents exposure or who would need temporary housing after a flood event, these NCIP enhancements are significant improvements over what the federal program provides.
No carrier is perfect. Here are the honest trade-offs to know about Cat Coverage and private flood.
Cat Coverage writes flood exclusively. Flood insurance is always a separate policy from homeowners — an additional purchase managed independently.
Cat Coverage's advantage is strongest in low-to-moderate risk zones. For high-risk or historically flood-prone areas, NFIP's rate structure may be more competitive. Tom compares both for every client.
Most lenders accept private flood per the Biggert-Waters Act, but some government-backed programs have specific requirements. Tom verifies lender acceptance for any mortgaged property before binding.
Here's who belongs with Cat Coverage — and when private flood beats NFIP for Minnesota clients.
"Cat Coverage is a great private flood market alternative with expanded limits from the NFIP. Easy to use and very competitive with our inland flood risks in Minnesota. When a client needs flood coverage, Cat Coverage is usually the first comparison I run against NFIP — and it holds up well for Minnesota's risk profile."
— Tom Wertish, President, Options Insurance, Options Insurance
Already a Cat Coverage client through Options Insurance? Here are the resources you need.
Flood claims are coordinated through Cat Coverage's claims process and handled by the underlying A+ carrier. Your Options Insurance agent can help initiate and coordinate the process. Tom manages Cat Coverage relationships directly for all flood placements.
Cat Coverage's customer service team is available for policy and coverage questions. For most service needs, Tom manages Cat Coverage relationships directly and can handle most issues through the producer portal without routing through Cat Coverage's main line.
Cat Coverage's detailed NCIP vs. NFIP comparison — coverage features, limits, waiting periods, and pricing dynamics. A useful resource for clients who want to understand why private flood often outperforms NFIP, particularly for Minnesota inland flood risks.
Look up your property's FEMA flood zone designation. Low-to-moderate risk zones (X, AE with lower base flood elevations) are where Cat Coverage's NCIP pricing is typically most competitive against NFIP. Tom reviews flood zone data for every flood insurance placement.
Tom is President of Options Insurance and the primary Cat Coverage placement agent. He uses the NCIP platform for Minnesota flood clients where the private market outperforms NFIP — which is often, given Minnesota's inland flood risk profile and NFIP's recent rate increases under Risk Rating 2.0. "Easy to use and very competitive with our inland flood risks in Minnesota."
Tell us a little about what you need. One of our agents will follow up — usually same business day.
No obligation. We'll compare Cat Coverage against NFIP for your specific property.
We'll compare Cat Coverage's NCIP against NFIP for your specific property and give you an honest recommendation on which fits better for Minnesota flood risk.
Start Your Free Quote →The opinions expressed on this page reflect the experience of Options Insurance agents based on policies placed and client feedback received over 15 years. Individual results may vary. Options Insurance is appointed with CATcoverage.com as an independent agent. This review is not sponsored, approved, or endorsed by CATcoverage.com or Poulton Associates. AM Best, J.D. Power, and NAIC data are sourced from publicly available reports and are cited for informational purposes. Ratings are subject to change. CATcoverage.com is owned and operated by Poulton Associates. Coverage is provided through the Natural Catastrophe Insurance Program (NCIP) underwritten by carriers rated A+ or better by AM Best. Private flood insurance is not affiliated with the NFIP. Lender acceptance of private flood should be verified before binding for mortgaged properties. Comparison data is based on publicly available third-party research. Coverage availability and terms vary by state, risk profile, and underwriting criteria. This page does not constitute a coverage guarantee or binding commitment.