It can take one storm and just one inch of floodwater to cause up to $25,000 in damages to your home. Flood Insurance is a separate policy which covers your home and belongings in the event of a flood. To better understand Flood Insurance, what it covers and why you should consider it, we answered a few of our frequently asked questions below.
Does a homeowners policy cover flooding?
No, a standard home, condo, or renter's insurance policy does not cover flood damage. To be protected in the event of a flood, you must purchase flood insurance. Homeowners Insurance may cover water damage, such as a hole in your roof or pipe leak, but will not cover flood-inducing risks such as storm surge or torrential rainfall. You would need to purchase flood insurance to protect your home from a flood loss.
What damage is covered by flood insurance?
In terms of insurance, the definition of flood is rising water. Any damage caused by rising water will require its own flood insurance policy to be covered. An easy rule to remember is, flood is damage from the floor up, which may be covered under flood insurance, and wind is damage from the roof down, which may be covered under your homeowners policy.
Is Flood Insurance required in Florida?
Flood Insurance is not required in the state of Florida. However, it can be a requirement of mortgage lenders depending on your area’s flood risk. Flood zones are designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) who rate a location’s flood risk from high to low. The FEMA flood map ratings use letters to indicate risk level with A and V being a high-risk flood area, B,C and X being a moderate to low risk area, and D indicating the risk is unknown because the area has not yet been mapped. About 40% of insurance claims come from outside of a high-risk flood zones, this is why it’s important to consider flood insurance regardless of your flood zone.
Where can I get Flood Insurance?
Flood Insurance can be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program - NFIP and private carriers. Talk to your agent to help you find the right coverage for you. Keeping your family and home safe and protected is Edison Insurance Company’s number one priority. For more information, or to get a quote, please call us at 866-568-8922 or talk to your agent.
