Anywhere it rains, it can flood. A flood is a general and temporary condition where two or more acres of normally dry land or two or more properties are inundated by water or mudflow. Many conditions can result in a flood: hurricanes, overtopped levees, outdated or clogged drainage systems, and rapid accumulation of rainfall.
Just because you haven’t experienced a flood in the past, doesn’t mean you won’t in the future. Flood risk isn’t just based on history, it’s also based on a number of factors: rainfall, river-flow and tidal-surge data, topography, flood-control measures, and changes due to building and development.
Flood-hazard maps have been created to show different degrees of risk for your community, which help determine the cost of flood insurance. The lower the degree of risk, the lower the flood insurance premium.
Questions to ask your Agent about Flood
To be proactive about your insurance, you should ask your insurance agent the following questions:
- What flood zone do I live in? What is my property’s flood risk?
- Is flood insurance mandatory for my property? Will the lender require it?
- Even if flood insurance isn’t required by my lender, do I still need it?
- Do I qualify for a Preferred Risk Policy?
- Does my community participate in the NFIP Community Rating System (CRS)? If so, does my home qualify for a CRS rating discount?
- What will and won’t be covered against flood damage?
- Will my flood insurance policy be backed by the federal government?
- How much coverage should I get for my building and for my contents?
- What options do I have to reduce my premium?
- Are there additional expenses or agency fees I should be aware of?
- Will my policy provide Replacement Cost Value or Actual Cash Value? And, what is the difference between the two?
- Who should I call if I have a flood claim?
- How can I pay for my policy?
- How will my policy be renewed?
Give us a call or click to chat about your particular needs.