As we’ve learned from recent storms, just because you’re not in a flood zone doesn’t mean you’re out of harm’s way.
With 11 million households in Florida, only 13 percent of the state’s households are covered with flood insurance (Source: National Flood Insurance Program). Most Florida residents are aware of the importance of preparing for hurricanes and the options available for purchasing windstorm (i.e., tropical storms and hurricanes) insurance coverage; fewer seem to realize that coverage for damage resulting from flooding is not included in most homeowners insurance policies.
Costly Repairs
Even an inch of water coming into your home can cause thousands of dollars in damage.
When you consider that even an inch of water coming into your home can cause $25,000 of damage, the dollars can add up quickly. It isn’t only your home’s structure that is damaged, but also contents such as furniture and appliances.
Just because your neighborhood isn’t located in a flood zone, doesn’t mean that your risk factor is zero. Flooding can result from rising sea levels, storms and hurricanes, water backup due to inadequate or overloaded drainage systems, or even broken water mains.
Did You Know? “Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States,” according to FloodSmart.gov. During a 30-year mortgage, for instance, there is greater than a 25 percent chance that the average home will experience some degree of flood damage. In many states, including Florida, home sellers are not legally obligated to inform potential buyers about previous flood damage to the property. It’s important to be informed and also be prepared. Test your flood IQ with this quick quiz developed by the team at How Stuff Works.
The Bottom Line: Why take the risk? Nowadays there are a range of options available for purchasing flood insurance for your home. There is often a waiting period associated with purchasing flood insurance, plus a variety of coverage options from which to choose. NFIP policies are not effective until 30 days after the purchase date. Whereas with a Tower Hill private flood stand-alone policy (with continuous coverage) or endorsement purchased for a homeowners policy, there is no waiting period required.
Visit our Flood Insurance page or contact your Tower Hill agent today to learn more about our private flood stand-alone policy.