Nine Things You Need to Know About Flood Insurance

Published by nora | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Market Trends, Miscellaneous, Mortgage / Finance, Real Estate

The flood insurance provision of the National Flood Insurance Program has just been extended by Congress to September 30, 2011, so it’s a good time for homeowners who don’t yet have flood insurance to consider why they need to buy a flood policy.

1.  You need flood insurance anywhere you live in the U.S.

Each of the 50 states is a flood-risk zone. Even if your flood risk is low, it’s still cost effective  to buy flood insurance because experience has shown that low-risk areas do have floods. According to the NFIP, which is run by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, almost 25 percent of flood insurance claims in the past years have come from areas with moderate and low risks of flooding.

2.  Your regular homeowners insurance policy does not cover flood.

Private-sector insurance firms, which provide homeowners insurance, don’t cover floods as they don’t have the funds to cover a risk that turns catastrophic if a big flood devastates a whole city or state. Before the NFIP was established in 1968, homeowners bore the consequences of floods alone.

3.  Floods are caused not only by storms and hurricanes.

Flooding can also be caused by other events such as:

• Heavy rains
• Spring thaw
• Levees and dams
• Flash floods
• New property development
• West Coast threats

4.  The average amount of flood insurance claims over the past decade has been more than $33,000.

This amount shows that damages from floods can devastate one’s finances if one   doesn’t have flood coverage.

5.  The average annual premium for flood insurance is less than $570, according to the NFIP.

6.You’re required to buy a flood insurance policy if:

•  you’re buying a house in high-risk flood area
•  and you’re using a federally insured or guaranteed loan, such as those guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or the Veterans Administration.

7.  Your flood insurance premium is calculated based on the following:

•  Year your house was built
•  Type of construction
•  Number of floors
•  Location of its contents, such as whether contents are above ground
•  Existence of a basement
•  Flood risk
•  Amount of deductible you choose
•  Amount of building and contents coverage

Flood insurance rates are the same across insurance agents or insurance firms, as rates are set by the NFIP. There are about 90 private insurance firms that sell NFIP flood insurance policies.

8.  Your home must be your primary residence to qualify for the replacement cost coverage.

The replacement cost policy means your settlement will be equal to the cost of replacing your house.

9.  The involvement of your city or town in the FEMA’s floodplain management program affects whether you can obtain flood insurance.

You can only buy flood insurance if you live in a community which has an agreement with the FEMA to enforce floodplain management standards.

Adding flood coverage to your standard homeowners insurance is a sound decision. The annual premium is a small expense compared to the peace of mind and protection you get with coverage.