Why You Should Consider Flood Insurance
Following the recent devastation that Hurricane Harvey has brought, tens of thousands of people in Texas are returning to homes damaged by flooding and storm damage. The worst part is that statistics show most people do not have flood insurance, which means most of their home will not be covered. Data shows that only a little over a quarter of homeowners in the counties hit the worst by Harvey have policies that cover flooding, this a problem. Unless congress releases more money for assistance than many of these people will not receive government help. For these reasons and more. we want to make you aware of flood insurance and why you should consider purchasing it.
Flood Insurance Basics
Many people may not realize that flood insurance is a separate policy apart from your homeowner’s insurance. A standard homeowner’s policy typically only covers wind damage and does not cover flooding of any kind. So, should you experience flooding from a severe storm, you would be in trouble. One of the reasons you may not even be aware of it is because flood insurance is only required from your mortgage company if you live in a flood zone. This does not mean you should not purchase it as you can easily obtain a flood insurance policy regardless of whether or not your home is in a flood plain.
Where Can You Purchase Flood Insurance?
Flood insurance can usually be purchased through your insurance agent, either through a government program called the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or through private insurance companies.
The two most common types of flood insurance that you can purchase through the National Flood Insurance Program are:
1. A policy that covers your home, usually up to $250,000- (the coverage limit through the Federal program). This will cover things such as: your home and foundation, HVAC equipment, kitchen appliances, electric items, plumbing, debris removal, water heater, blinds, installed fixtures in your home, etc.
2. A policy that covers your personal belongings, usually up to $100,000: this includes items such as clothing, furniture, curtains, electronics, carpets, washer/dryer, freezers, food, etc. It also can include up to $2,500 in valuables.
You may think that you do not need flood insurance or don’t want to dole out money to one more thing, however you could be kicking yourself down the road. Just ask any hurricane or storm victim. Believe it or not, everyone is at risk for flooding. Heavy rains can come on quickly and cause rivers of water. This can come quickly after a large storm. Even a backed up storm drain at the street which floods your home would not be covered under regular home owners insurance. Unfortunately, in the case of flood insurance, you cannot wait for a storm to approach to purchase it. There is almost always a 30 day period of waiting.
How Much Does It Cost?
The average cost through the National Flood Insurance Program is $450-$700 a year. The price will depend on the risk level in your area. If you want to do some research, you can jump online and get a quote at FloodSmart.gov and check to see what type of flood risk your home is rated to be. You can also ask your insurance agent to see if they offer it. They should be able to tell you what the premium is for a year, again it will depend on your risk level and how old your home is. Take the time and consider flood insurance. It can be beneficial to every homeowner.
Should you have any concerns or questions we are here for you. ServiceMaster Quality Restoration offers exceptional fire, water and mold remediation services. With years of experience, we are known for our consistency, speed and high standards of customer service. Our professional trained technicians are available 27 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Give us a call at (704) 324-8528.
