Considering that all your yard has ever seen is a sizable puddle, you might believe that your home won’t flood. However, according to FEMA, flooding affected 99% of the counties in the US between 1996 and 2019.
Flood Insurance
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, just 5% to 15% of homeowners have flood insurance, and a typical homeowners insurance policy won’t cover flood damage. You can suffer financially if you don’t have flood insurance. According to the latest recent data from FEMA, the average compensation on a flood claim under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was $52,000 in 2019.
What Is Flood Insurance and How it Works?
Your home and your possessions are protected from harm caused by flooding by a flood insurance policy. However, it’s distinct from a homeowners insurance policy, which frequently excludes flood damage from issues like hurricanes and severe rain.
Although you might be able to purchase a policy in the open market, most homeowners who purchase flood insurance do so through the National Flood Insurances Program.
Storm surges, and inland floods, including rivers and streams overflowing during a storm, are issues that flood insurance can help with. However, In acute floods, You can claim with your flood insurance provider and receive coverage up to the policy’s maximum if your home and possessions are harmed or destroyed by a flood.
What Doesn’t Flood Insurance Cover?
There are some types of water damage that flood insurance does not cover. Usually, the following are excluded from an NFIP flood policy:
- Pipe damage, which is a sort of damage covered by home insurance
- Personal property, such as decks, patios, swimming pools, septic systems, and landscaping, outside of your building
- Mold and mildew you can avoid
- If your home is uninhabitable, additional living costs, such as hotel lodging
- Damaged automobiles (flood-related automobile damage is covered by the comprehensive component of your automobile insurance policy)
How to Get Flood Insurance
There are two major ways to get flood insurance:
FEMA’s government program is called the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The National Flood Insurance Program is the primary source of flood insurance for most homeowners. You can submit a policy application to your home insurance agent.
However, some companies offer private, individual flood insurance. They might offer coverage alternatives that FEMA does not, making them a useful option for customers with large or expensive homes or for those who just feel that the FEMA options are insufficient.
Every applicant who lives in a community that takes part in the NFIP must be accepted by the program. However, the customers that private insurers sell to can be chosen carefully. Your options will likely be restricted to FEMA coverage if your property has previously experienced flood damage or you live in a high-tide flood area.
How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost?
The cost of your flood insurance will vary depending on several variables, including:
- The foundation type for your house
- Your home’s construction
- The value of your house as a replacement
- Elevation
- Distance to the water
- Various flood types occur frequently
Flood Insurance FAQs
When is Flood Insurance Required?
If a property is located in a high-risk flood zone, any mortgages that are backed by the government must include flood insurance. However, your lender may compel you to obtain flood insurance even if you don’t reside in a high-risk area.
Is all Flood Insurances Through FEMA?
Although not the only one, FEMA is the largest supplier of flood insurance.
Does Homeowners insurance cover Flood Damage?
Flood damage is not typically covered by home insurance. However, water damage resulting from abrupt and unplanned issues, such as a burst water pipe, is covered by a homeowners policy.