The Risk Of Not Having Flood Insurance

Boise Home & Flood Insurance Agency Can Help you determine the proper flood insurance policy!

If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, then it's important to have flood insurance. Not only will it protect your property from water damage, but it can help you qualify for disaster aid, including FEMA grants and low-interest disaster loans. Water can affect every property, so if you're not insured, now is the time to get covered.

This policy can pay for rebuilding your home after a flood. While most homeowners insurance policies won't cover this damage, you can still get coverage through your auto insurance policy. Just make sure that you have comprehensive auto coverage, as it may cover the damage, too.

If you're renting your home or condo unit, you should also have coverage in case you need to evacuate. However, it's important to remember that it doesn't cover things stored in storage. Once you experience this, you should take steps to move your belongings to safe places, such as a hotel.

Different Types Of Water Damage

While many lenders won't require you to buy coverage, however, it's a necessity for protecting your home. Moreover, many homeowners don't even live in high-risk zones, which makes flood insurance a vital policy. FEMA reports that 40% of all claims come from places outside of high-risk zones. These are usually caused by recent construction, fires, or breached dams. In the average home, 1ft. of water can cost $72,000 in damages.

• Heavy rains/tropical storms. Natural weather events with an excessive amount of rainfall occur at any time of the year.
• Flash Floods. Flash floods are caused by heavy rainfall or are sometimes breached by man-made dams or levy failure.
• Post-fire conditions. Burnt ground after a wildfire cannot absorb rainwater, increasing the risk of flooding and mudflows which are normal in western states due to wildfires.
• Overflow of sewage. A leak from an underground fixture can lead to water overflowing.

Floods can occur anywhere in the U.S., and not just in prone areas. In fact, 98% of all counties have experienced flooding at some point in their history. According to FEMA, since the National Flood Insurance Program's inception, over two million claims have been processed, and $72.4 billion has been paid out. Fortunately, it's easy to get coverage, and you don't have to spend a fortune to protect your property.

Get Your Flood Policy At Boise Home Insurance & Flood Insurance

Even if you're not at high risk, you can reduce your risk by making simple changes to your home. First of all, make sure water is flowing away from your property as far as possible. This includes your downspouts. Make sure they aren't collecting water near the house - otherwise, it will cause leaks in your basement. You can also address problems like where you place your air conditioner, so you can avoid any issues during this event

A flood policy is available from the federal government through the NFIP. The government runs the program, but private insurers sell the actual policies. The NFIP covers up to $200,000 for your home's structure and up to $100,000 for your belongings. It's best to get a policy as soon as possible if you're at risk for a natural disaster.

Floods happen when runoff from rainwater exceeds the capacity of waterways and overflows onto adjacent land. Storm surges and storm waves can also cause flooding. Many people still live in prone areas despite knowing its risk, resulting in increased property damage and even loss of life.