A 15 percent discount on federal flood insurance premiums for nearly 1,900 property owners living in unincorporated Marin are expected to take effect once policies are renewed in May, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Savings would amount to an average $210 per policy; rates in unincorporated areas average about $1,400 annually, according to county Senior Flood Control Engineer Roger Leventhal. Officials described the discount as a reward for the county’s flood reduction efforts, which were identified in an audit conducted by FEMA of the county’s analysis and documentation. “This is a huge reward for them,” said Michael Hornick, a Marin resident who serves as a natural hazards program specialist for FEMA. “Compared to where we were 10 years ago, Marin has made huge strides. This is a good deal for the public.” The discount comes as part of the Community Rating System, a voluntary national program started in 1990 by the National Flood Insurance Program to promote floodplain management practices that exceed federal standards. Marin scored 1,852 points out of a total 5,000 points for flood-control activities—well enough to qualify for the program and the discount. The county is now aiming to score 2,000 on its next audit in two years, which would qualify policy-holders for a 20 percent discount. However, Mr. Leventhal clarified that the new discount will mostly help to offset cost increases, since the federal government is in the process of raising flood insurance premiums. The county does not have any say over billing and payments for flood insurance—unlike FEMA, which does. Flood insurance is required for anyone who has a federally backed home loan; it can cost as little as a few hundred dollars a year to several thousands, depending on a property’s location within a floodplain. Flood insurance is not required for people who own their homes outright.