Who Needs Flood Insurance? Everyone!
Release Date: August 6, 2003
Release Number: 1475-16
» More Information on Kentucky Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes
Frankfort, KY -- Nobody can stop a flood. Nobody can erase the bad memories and financial loss. Having flood insurance is the first line-of-defense and can go a long way toward putting the pieces back together.
That is the message that state and federal disaster recovery officials are sending to residents of 21 Kentucky counties in the aftermath of the severe storms and flooding of June 14-27. Officials are urging homeowners and renters to purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Floods are caused by many events: storms, melting snow, or dam or levee failure. Everyone needs flood insurance. More than 90 per cent of all Presidentially-declared disasters include flooding.
Important features of the National Flood Insurance Program are:
- Everyone can, and should, have flood insurance. Even if you don't live in a designated flood zone you can purchase flood insurance if your community participates in the NFIP. Any property can get flooded, and anyone can buy flood insurance.
- Flood damage is not covered by a standard homeowner's insurance policy. You can protect your home and contents with flood insurance. You can insure your home for up to $250,000 for the building and up to $100,000 for the contents.
- Contents coverage is separate. Contents coverage is not automatically included with a flood insurance policy. Ask your agent. Renters also can insure their contents.
- Flood insurance pays even when no disaster is declared. Statistically, federal disaster declarations are issued in less than 50 percent of flooding incidents. An NFIP policy will pay for flood damage whether or not there is a federal disaster declaration.
- Flood insurance is affordable. The average flood insurance policy costs approximately $300 a year for about $100,000 of coverage.
- There is a 30-day waiting period before a flood insurance policy becomes effective. You can purchase flood coverage at any time, but there is a 30-day waiting period after you have applied and paid the premium before the policy becomes effective.
- Flood insurance is available through your insurance agent. NFIP flood insurance is sold through private insurance companies and agents, and is backed by the federal government. For an agent in your area, call 1-800-720-1093.
For complete information, call the National Flood Insurance Program toll free at
1-800-720-1090, or
1-800-CALL-FLOOD
On March 1, 2003 FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 06-Aug-2003 11:53:05