Flood Insurance and its Coverage
Homeowner
As a homeowner, it's important to insure your home and its contents. Depending on your property location, your home is either considered at high-risk or at moderate-to-low risk for a flood. Your insurance premium will vary accordingly.
Tennant
If you are a tenant, it is wise to insure your contents. The policy premium is based on several factors, including the flood risk of the building that you occupy.
Condo Owner/Renter
If you rent or own your condominium unit, it is a good idea to purchase both building (if you own the unit) and contents coverage. If you are a tenant, contents-only coverage is available. The policy premium is based on several factors, including the flood risk of the building that you occupy.
Why Flood Insurance Matters
Amid the uncertainties of nature, flood insurance stands as an essential precaution. It ensures that you won't face financial ruin when the waters rise, affecting the "covered areas."
Understanding What Flood Insurance Covers
What does flood insurance cover? To grasp this concept, it's crucial to dive into the details. Flood insurance typically covers the following:
- Structural Damage: Your home's structure, including foundation, walls, roof, and built-in appliances, falls under the purview of flood insurance.
- Personal Property: Flood coverage protects your "personal belongings" – furniture, electronics, clothing, and more. Essentially, if it's inside your home, it's covered.
- Essential Systems: Flood insurance encompasses essential systems such as electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. These are the lifelines of your home and are safeguarded against flood-related damage.
- Basement Coverage: Flood insurance also covers basements, including "basement improvements" like finished walls and floors. This aspect is especially significant since basements are prone to flooding.
- Temporary Living Expenses: If your home becomes uninhabitable due to a flood, flood insurance may cover the costs of temporary accommodation and additional living expenses. This feature is essential for maintaining your quality of life during the recovery phase.
- Outdoor Property: Flood insurance can extend its protective reach to your outdoor property, such as decks, garages, and swimming pools, to ensure that the "outdoor elements" of your home remain safeguarded.
The Crucial Role of FEMA
Flood insurance in the United States is primarily facilitated through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
We are able to quote with the NFIP program -or- Private Flood Insurance programs that will typically offer a lower premium for higher risk flood areas.
