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Protect Your Home with Flood Insurance

If you have homeowners insurance, your coverage likely provides provisions for certain types of water damage; flood damage, however, is not covered. Flood insurance coverage must be purchased with a separate policy.

Definition of Water Damage:

Water damage is damage that occurs prior to water touching the ground, for example:

• Broken pipes
• Breaking or damaging of windows by natural causes such as ice, hail, or rain
• Roof leaks that cause pooling water in your home when it rains heavily

Definition of Flood Damage:

Flood damage is damage that is caused to your home after water touches the ground, for example:

• River overflow
• Erosion or mudslides that have been caused by heavy rain or flooding
• Water that enters your home because rain has fallen too quickly to be absorbed into the soil

Special Flood Hazard Areas and Mapping:

Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in 1968 in order to remove some of the financial burden sustained by areas that have experienced flood-related disasters. It also oversees and maps the areas that are prone or susceptible to floods. If an area is at a high enough risk (called Special Flood Hazard Areas), individuals will be required by law to purchase flood insurance.

Policies:

Flood insurance policies will insure up to $250,000 for a single residence; you can, however, purchase additional coverage to help with the replacing of your home’s contents should you sustain damage from a flood. Insured items will vary from policy to policy, so be sure to be as specific as possible when discussing flood insurance with your agent.