FLOOD  INSURANCE

Protect Yourself with a Homeowners Flood Insurance Policy

Since standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flooding, it's important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that impact the U.S.

In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to help provide a means for property owners to financially protect themselves. The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP. Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA requirements to reduce the risk of flooding.

Find out more about the NFIP and how it can help you protect yourself.

Speak with a certified licensed flood insurance agent at-888-449-4977

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.

Moderate to Low Risk

Most homeowners in a moderate- to low-risk area might be eligible for coverage at a preferred rate. Preferred Risk Policy premiums are the lowest premiums available through the NFIP, offering building and contents coverage for one low price. If you don't qualify for a Preferred Risk Policy, a standard rated policy is still available. Even though flood insurance isn't federally required, anyone can be financially vulnerable to floods. In fact, people outside of mapped high-risk flood areas file over 20-percent of all National Flood Insurance Program flood insurance claims and receive one-third of Federal Disaster Assistance for flooding.

High Risk

If you live in a high-risk area, a standard rated policy is the only option for you. It offers separate building and contents coverage.

The Dwelling Form provides insurance for buildings with one to four units, including single-family condominium units and townhouses. The General Property Form provides insurance for other residential and commercial buildings. Both forms provide flood insurance on contents, if you have purchased this optional coverage.

Flood insurance premiums are calculated based on factors such as:

•Year of building construction

•Building occupancy

•Number of floors

•The location of its contents

•Its flood risk (i.e. its flood zone)

•The location of the lowest floor in relation to the elevation requirement on the flood map (in newer buildings only)

•The deductible you choose and the amount of building and contents coverage

If your home is in a high-risk flood area and you have obtained a mortgage through a federally regulated or insured lender, you are required to purchase a flood insurance policy.

Commericial Flood Insurance for Business Owners

Protect Yourself With Flood Insurance

At least 25 percent of businesses that close after events, like a flood, never reopen. From 2010 to 2014, the average commercial flood claim amounted to nearly $89,000. Flood insurance is the best way to protect yourself from devastating financial loss. Find the flood risk for your business now using our One-Step Flood Risk Profile.

Flood insurance is available to homeowners, renters, condo owners/renters, and commercial owners/renters. Costs vary depending on how much insurance is purchased, what it covers, and the property's flood risk.

Coverage for your building and contents is available. Talk to your agent today about insuring your business and its contents. Typically, there's a 30-day waiting period from date of purchase before your policy goes into effect. That means now is the best time to buy flood insurance.