It isn’t just coastal communities that need to worry about flooding.
Here’s why every home in Florida should have flood insurance.
You may already know that standard home insurance policies don’t cover flood damage here in Florida.
“That’s not a problem,” you might say. “I don’t live in a flood zone, so I don’t need flood insurance.” Unfortunately, this is a dangerous line of thinking that could leave you in dire straits.
As one of Orlando’s top insurance agencies, one of our top priorities is making sure that Floridians understand their coverage and why they need it. In this article, we’ll be tackling one of the most necessary insurance policies out there: flood insurance.
You DO Live In a Flood Zone!
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created a detailed map of flood zones across the United States. Unfortunately, this has led many people to believe that there are certain designated areas that are at risk of flooding and that everywhere else is safe.
The reality is that floods can happen anywhere, at any time.
FEMA’s flood map actually reveals the flood risk of each area, with low- to moderate-risk areas marked with a B, C, or X on the map, and high-risk areas marked with an A or V.
However, even low-risk areas are not immune to flooding. According to FloodSmart.gov, 1 in 3 insurance claims comes from low- and moderate-risk areas.
Remember Hurricane Ian?
If you lived in Florida in September of 2022, you probably remember the amount of flooding that occurred as a result of Hurricane Ian.
The storm dumped as much as 21 inches of rain in some areas, and even parts of the state that were in low-risk zones experienced unprecedented flooding.
Our point is that even the most accurate flood zone map cannot predict how much rain will fall in a certain area or how long it will take that water to drain away.
Rain, Rain, Go Away…
It isn’t just large amounts of water that cause a flood, drainage plays a huge role in the process as well.
Fortunately, Florida’s geography has a built-in solution.
When rain hits the ground, it’s absorbed into the soil, where it trickles down into the limestone layer beneath. Because limestone is a soft mineral, the water is able to easily erode it, creating caverns and pockets of water that become part of Florida’s aquifer system. (These caverns are also why you need coverage for catastrophic ground collapse!)
However, new construction with non-porous materials—such as concrete, asphalt, and brick—holds water in place for longer, giving it plenty of time to accumulate into a flood.
As Florida’s population continues to grow, it is very likely that we will see increased flooding due to the construction boom.
You Need Flood Insurance
Every day, we talk to homeowners who opted out of flood insurance simply because they didn’t live near the coast. But dangerous misconceptions like these will only harm your wallet in the long run.
No matter where your home is located, living in Florida without flood insurance is a gamble.
Floods are some of nature’s most common and devastating natural disasters. Just one inch of water can cause upwards of $25,000 in damage to your home. Do you have that kind of money lying around?
With an average cost of just $677 a year, flood insurance isn’t just necessary, it can be quite affordable.
Am I Required To Have Flood Insurance?
Currently, the only homes required to carry flood insurance are those with a policy through Citizens Property Insurance that are also located in a Special Flood Hazard Area.
This law went into effect on July 1, 2023, and also included a timetable for other homes insured through Citizen’s to obtain flood coverage:
By March 1, 2024 for policy limits of $600,000 or more.
By March 1, 2025 for policy limits of $500,000 or more.
By March 1, 2026 for policy limits of $400,000 or more.
By March 1, 2027 for all other policies.
If you’re one of the 1.2 million households with a Citizen’s policy, flood insurance may be mandatory.
Looking For Strong Coverage?
Protecting your home from storms involves more than just stocking up on batteries and canned goods. You also need to make sure you have the ability to repair or replace anything that Mother Nature might damage.
At Harry Levine Insurance, we make your family’s well-being our top priority.
We take the time to discuss your lifestyle, risk exposure, risk tolerance, and budget to match you with excellent coverage.
But good service doesn’t stop at our door. We make sure every one of the insurance carriers we work with has a history of unparalleled customer service. Whether you need to pay your premiums or file a claim, we’re with you every step of the way.
Call today for a free quote to get started!
The post Why You Need Flood Insurance (Even If You Aren’t In a Flood Zone) appeared first on Harry Levine Insurance.
