Flood Insurance

Floods and flash floods can occur anytime, anywhere, in all 50 states - on coasts, in the mountains, along rivers and in the middle of the desert. In fact, roughly 25 percent of all flood insurance claims come from areas not considered high risk.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT AGAINST FLOOD DAMAGE?

The Federal Government runs the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is why most home and property insurance typically doesn't cover flooding. The government draws a Flood Hazard Boundary Map that divides the country into flood zone risk areas, and their Flood Insurance Rate Map sets the coverage and premiums for those areas.

*Please note there is a waiting period before your flood insurance coverage becomes effective:

The standard waiting period for a Flood Insurance Policy to go into effect is 30 days from the application and premium payment date.
One exception to this rule occurs when Flood Insurance is required for a mortgage loan, in which case the effective date for Flood Insurance coverage is the loan closing date.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT AGAINST "NON-FLOOD" WATER DAMAGE?

You may need to consider additional water backup insurance. Neither the NFIP, nor your base homeowner's policy, will typically cover water that backs up through sewers or drains or overflows from a sump pump. To be sure you have the right coverage, discuss all of your specific concerns about water damage with your agent.

WHY YOU NEED FLOOD INSURANCE

Floods are the #1 natural disaster in the United States with losses of more than a billion dollars a year
Everyone lives in a flood zone; floods and flash floods happen in all 50 states
Flood damage is not covered by most homeowners policies
The average flood loss is $48,000. Just an inch of water can cause damage to your property
Flood insurance is affordable