Do I Need Flood Insurance?

Short Answer: Yes. Long Answer: Also Yes. 

The recent devastation wrought by extreme hurricanes highlighted the need for flood insurance coverage even for locations that are not designated flood zones and are not at high risk for flooding. The damages caused by flooding to the property, home, and contents can be extensive and expensive.

Most general insurance policies DO NOT cover flood damage. Regular homeowner’s coverage DOES NOT cover flood damages. Flood Insurance covers damages related to flooding, which is why it is a necessary part of your coverage.

Some areas are more high-risk for flooding than others, but all properties are exposed to some risk. Rainfall is not the only cause of flooding.

Mudflows, rapid snowmelt, ice jams, and storm surges can also cause flooding. Urban Development, such as new construction and ground paving, can also cause flooding as the topography is altered by not allowing the land to drain properly.

Flood insurance provides coverage after a flood destroys part or all of a home. Many people wrongly believe that the government covers damages due to flooding. However, Federal assistance is only available if the flooding is formally declared a disaster.

Often, this assistance comes in the forms of loans with interest rates that can take years to repay, especially if the home still carries a mortgage. Such loans can be costly and can cause real damage to your financial future. Flood Insurance claims are paid out even if no disaster is formally declared and are not a loan that has to be repaid.

Commercial Flood Insurance

There are many types of Flood Insurance coverage available for your personal and commercial buildings. Properties in low-risk areas usually carry low premiums to cover your buildings and contents.

There are two types of commercial building flood insurance coverage:

1. Commercial Contents Policies cover your business’s contents, including inventory, merchandise, and merchandise (usually up to $500,000).
2. Commercial Building Policies cover your building and contents. This type of policy can also cover tenant improvements if you do not own your building.

 

Flood Insurance can also cover debris removal and other parts of the cleanup process.

Flood Insurance Premiums are based on different factors, including:

• Building’s age, height, and occupancy
• Your location within the building
• Location of the lowest floor in relation to the elevation requirement on the flood map
• The deductible you choose and the building and contents coverage you choose

Personal Flood Insurance

A standard homeowner’s policy DOES NOT cover damages from flooding. A separate flood policy is needed to cover losses. A flood insurance policy can cover:

• Structural damages
• Furnace, water heater and central air-conditioning
• Flood debris clean up
• Electrical and plumbing systems

A renter can also purchase coverage for their belonging in a building even if the property owner decided not to cover the building.

Flood Safety

Before a Flood:

1. Gather emergency supplies and follow local road or TV updates.
2. Tie down or bring outdoor items inside.

Recognize Flood Risk:

1. Identify flood prone or landslide-prone areas near you.
2. Know your community’s warning signals, evacuation routes, and emergency shelter locations.
3. Know flood evacuation routes near you.

During A Flood:

1. Unplug appliances to prevent electrical shock when power comes back on.
2. Do NOT drive or walk across flooded road. Cars and people can be swept away. As little as six inches of water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
3. Gather emergency supplies and follow local road or TV updates.
4. When power lines are down, water is in your home, or before you evacuate, TURN OFF gas, power, and water.

After A Flood:

1. Throw away items that cannot be disinfected, like wall coverings, cloth, rugs and drywall. Floods can cause mold.
2. Use fans, air conditioning units, and dehumidifiers for drying.
3. For cleanup, wear rubber boots and plastic gloves.
4. Clean walls, hard floors, and other surfaces with soap and water. Use a mixture of 1 cup bleach and 1-gallon water to disinfect.
5. When in doubt, throw it out! Throw away any food and bottled water that comes/may have come into contact with flood water. Caution! Flood water may contain trash.

Practice Safe Hygiene:

1. Wash hands with soap and water to prevent germs.
2. Listen for information from your local officials on how to safely use water to drink, cook, or clean.
3. Read more flood safety tips from the CDC.
4. For more information about Commercial Property Insurance, Liability Insurance, and Commercial Package Insurance contact Fidella Insurance Agency today- your preferred retail property and casualty insurance brokerage.

To purchase flood insurance or for more information, contact Fidella Insurance Agency today.