Floridians Urged To Buy Flood Insurance Before 2006 Storm Season
Release Date: December 13, 2005
Release Number: 1609-045
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Wilma
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Even if you do not live near a river or on the coast, you may still be at risk for flood damage. Floods are the nation's most common - and costliest - natural disaster, and they are not just a problem near the water. Flash floods, inland flooding and seasonal storms bring flooding to every region of the country. Homeowners policies do not cover flooding, and 20 to 25 percent of all flood-insurance claims are filed in low- to moderate-risk areas - areas where a large percentage of residents are without flood insurance.
Don't wait. Purchase flood insurance now before the next hurricane season begins, urge officials from the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Florida's State Emergency Response Team (SERT).
Flood insurance is easy to obtain. Most insurance agents sell National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies. Call 1-800-427-2419 or go online to www.FloodSmart.gov to find an agent near you. At the same Web site, you can also learn more about your risk of being flooded and what to do before, during and after a flood.
Flood insurance policies compensate homeowners, renters and business owners for covered losses. Homeowners can buy up to $250,000 of coverage, plus $100,000 to cover their home's contents; businesses can purchase up to $500,000 of coverage for buildings and $500,000 for their contents. There is no payback requirement for flood insurance settlements, and the average flood insurance premium is around $450 a year. There is a 30-day wait when purchasing a new policy, so it is important to act quickly before the next flood strikes. The waiting period is waived if you are obtaining, increasing, renewing or extending a federally backed loan for the property.
You can get flood insurance in most communities nationwide, whether you live in or outside a floodplain. You can get flood insurance if your house has been flooded before, and you can purchase it even if your mortgage does not require it. Flood insurance is available in all zones (low, moderate and high risk), with significant cost savings for people in low- to moderate-risk areas.
If you received federal disaster assistance for flooding related to Hurricane Wilma and your property is located in an area designated by the NFIP as being at high risk for flooding, you will need to obtain flood insurance; that is one of the requirements for federal grants and federally backed low-cost disaster loans. You'll need to maintain your insurance for the life of the loan.
And remember to stay covered. You must renew your flood insurance policy each year.
In order to help alleviate the financial devastation caused by flooding, Congress created the NFIP in 1968. The NFIP, managed by FEMA, enables homeowners, business owners and renters to purchase federally backed flood insurance. The goal of the NFIP is to provide affordable protection against flooding to as many homeowners, business owners and renters as possible across the country.
You are eligible to purchase flood insurance as long as your community is among the more than 20,000 communities nationwide that participates in the NFIP. Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 14-Dec-2005 08:54:58