Recent Rains Cause the Lack of Flood Insurance to Hit Close to Home
by
Toni Logan
Even If You Don’t Live in a Flood Zone, All of Florida is Flood-Prone.
Florida's recent torrential rains and the flooding they caused are a stark reminder that it's not just hurricanes that can wreak havoc here in the Sunshine State.
Every Florida homeowner is one unrelenting rain storm away from a flood damaged home, whether they live near the coast or further inland (and no matter where you live in Florida, you’re no more than 60 miles away from the beach).
Did you know? Floridians filed more than twice as many flood claims with the National Flood Insurance Program in 2014 than Alabama, the second highest state on the list, and received more than twice as much in claim payments: $117,861,100 vs. $52,668,831 accordingly. (Share this)
Standard Florida home insurance policies do not cover damage caused by floods. But many homeowners are unaware that they need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy until the water recedes and they call their home insurance carrier – and by then, it's too late.
Only about two million of Florida’s nine million homeowners currently have a flood insurance policy. If you’re one of those currently using the “I’ll take my chances” method to prepare for flood damage, consider these facts, courtesy of floodsmart.gov:
Any water that enters your home from the ground is defined as a flood. Floods can be caused by a torrential downfall, a waterway (even a creek, ditch or levee) overflowing its banks, or any type of inundation or oversaturation. You don't have to live in a high risk area, such as near the coast, to be vulnerable. In fact, more than 20 percent of flood claims each year are filed by homeowners outside of high risk areas.
You might be wondering: What's the difference between water damage and flood damage? Your Florida home insurance policy covers the accidental and sudden discharge of water into your home. If a pipe from your washing machine or dishwasher bursts, your policy covers the resulting damage to your flooring and furniture. The key distinction between water damage and flood damage is how the water arrives. If it accumulates and travels over the ground, it's a flood. (Share this)
Any water that enters your home from the ground is defined as a flood. Floods can be caused by a torrential downfall, a waterway (even a creek, ditch or levee) overflowing its banks, or any type of inundation or oversaturation. You don't have to live in a high risk area, such as near the coast, to be vulnerable. In fact, more than 20 percent of flood claims each year are filed by homeowners outside of high risk areas.
You might be wondering: What's the difference between water damage and flood damage?
Your Florida home insurance policy covers the accidental and sudden discharge of water into your home. If a pipe from your washing machine or dishwasher bursts, your policy covers the resulting damage to your flooring and furniture. The key distinction between water damage and flood damage is how the water arrives. If it accumulates and travels over the ground, it's a flood. (Share this)
Lehn & Vogt Insurance has partnered with the nation's largest flood insurance provider, Wright Flood to provide federal flood insurance to Florida homeowners. Wright Flood is an industry leader known for exceptional claims response, flood insurance expertise and commitment at the time of flood loss.
Important to know: It takes 30 days for federal flood insurance to take effect, so make sure to discuss this important coverage with your agent before the next storm.
Lehn & Vogt Insurance proudly represents American Integrity Insurance.
Florida's recent torrential rains and the flooding they caused are a stark reminder that it's not just hurricanes that can wreak havoc here in the Sunshine State.
Every Florida homeowner is one unrelenting rain storm away from a flood damaged home, whether they live near the coast or further inland (and no matter where you live in Florida, you’re no more than 60 miles away from the beach).
Did you know? Floridians filed more than twice as many flood claims with the National Flood Insurance Program in 2014 than Alabama, the second highest state on the list, and received more than twice as much in claim payments: $117,861,100 vs. $52,668,831 accordingly. (Share this)
Standard Florida home insurance policies do not cover damage caused by floods. But many homeowners are unaware that they need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy until the water recedes and they call their home insurance carrier – and by then, it's too late.
Only about two million of Florida’s nine million homeowners currently have a flood insurance policy. If you’re one of those currently using the “I’ll take my chances” method to prepare for flood damage, consider these facts, courtesy of floodsmart.gov:
- Floods are the #1 natural disaster in the United States
- From 2010 to 2014, the cost of the average flood claim was nearly $42,000
- From 2005 to 2014, total flood insurance claims averaged more than $3.5 billion per year
- In 2014, the average flood insurance policy premium was about $700 per year
Any water that enters your home from the ground is defined as a flood. Floods can be caused by a torrential downfall, a waterway (even a creek, ditch or levee) overflowing its banks, or any type of inundation or oversaturation. You don't have to live in a high risk area, such as near the coast, to be vulnerable. In fact, more than 20 percent of flood claims each year are filed by homeowners outside of high risk areas.
You might be wondering: What's the difference between water damage and flood damage? Your Florida home insurance policy covers the accidental and sudden discharge of water into your home. If a pipe from your washing machine or dishwasher bursts, your policy covers the resulting damage to your flooring and furniture. The key distinction between water damage and flood damage is how the water arrives. If it accumulates and travels over the ground, it's a flood. (Share this)
Any water that enters your home from the ground is defined as a flood. Floods can be caused by a torrential downfall, a waterway (even a creek, ditch or levee) overflowing its banks, or any type of inundation or oversaturation. You don't have to live in a high risk area, such as near the coast, to be vulnerable. In fact, more than 20 percent of flood claims each year are filed by homeowners outside of high risk areas.
You might be wondering: What's the difference between water damage and flood damage?
Your Florida home insurance policy covers the accidental and sudden discharge of water into your home. If a pipe from your washing machine or dishwasher bursts, your policy covers the resulting damage to your flooring and furniture. The key distinction between water damage and flood damage is how the water arrives. If it accumulates and travels over the ground, it's a flood. (Share this)
Lehn & Vogt Insurance has partnered with the nation's largest flood insurance provider, Wright Flood to provide federal flood insurance to Florida homeowners. Wright Flood is an industry leader known for exceptional claims response, flood insurance expertise and commitment at the time of flood loss.
Important to know: It takes 30 days for federal flood insurance to take effect, so make sure to discuss this important coverage with your agent before the next storm.
Lehn & Vogt Insurance proudly represents American Integrity Insurance.
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