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PRIVATE & NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAMS

Floods are the No. 1 disaster in the United States, according to FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Whether or not you live in a high-risk flood zone, it only takes an inch of water to damage your property, as evidence by the U.S.’s $4 billion average in flood claims each year. So you might be asking, "Do I need flood insurance?" It depends. Our FAQ section is filled with useful information that will help you determine how best to protect your property, whether it's through the National Flood Insurance Program or with one of our partnering private flood insurance companies.

OUR FLOOD INSURANCE PARTNERS


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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The chances of a flood damaging your business, home or personal property depends primarily upon where you live, along with these other factors:

  • How much of a flood warning you received
  • The level of flood precautions you take (such as moving personal property from lower levels to higher levels)
  • Community precautions taken (such as flood controls in construction standards or sandbagging threatened areas). Since floods are related to weather conditions and tend to affect very wide areas, your chances of a flood loss may be higher than a loss from fires or windstorms. Many people have the obsolete belief that flood insurance is only needed if you live in a flood-prone area

If you have ever heard the term “flood zone,” you may think it only refers to locations that are particularly vulnerable to flooding. Well, we hate to break it to you, but if you live in the U.S., you live in a flood zone. While your area may have a lower chance of flooding than a coastal area or a location situated near a body of water, your area could still experience flooding. A very dry part of the country can be susceptible to flash floods. Hilly locations battle drainage issues. Snowy locations may suffer from heavy snow thaw. While other areas suffer deluges from a heavy rain season soaking the surrounding soil. So, if you've insured yourself against fire, wind and other causes of loss, it certainly makes sense to also protect yourself from the potential of a flood loss.

You may believe that even if you suffer from a flood, your loss may be taken care of when the government declares your location to be a disaster area. However, you're still taking a couple of large risks. First, your flooded locale may not be deemed a disaster area. Second, being designated as a disaster area is not a bargain. Disaster area status only gives citizens access to government disaster loans. If you qualify for assistance, you have replaced insurance protection with an obligation to pay off a large, long-term loan. Is it worthwhile to gamble on an opportunity to pick up more debt? You'll find flood insurance to be a cheaper and much more valuable alternative.

Most persons who need flood protection buy National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) coverage. If your community doesn't participate in the program, you'll have to look into coverage from private flood insurance companies, which we are happy to assist you through that process, along with including detailed information on the National Flood Insurance Program.

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