Why You've Got to Have Flood Insurance - Even if You're Not in a Flood Zone

There Are a Few Things You May Not Know About Floods:
· Homeowners insurance DOES NOT provide for damage caused by flooding.
· Just a few inches of water could cause thousands in damage.
· The average yearly premium is roughly $500 – the average yearly cost of a basic cell phone plan.

Hurricane Season

Hurricane season comes and goes quickly but the past two years have proved to be the costliest on record with respect to flooding. If you live in a hurricane-prone, coastal area, do not make the mistake that over half of the homeowners in those regions make every year by not being covered. Even if you are not in a high-risk flood zone, you may still be at risk and not know it.

If you are new to the area, call your local real estate office to find out whether or not you are in a designated flood zone.

Purchase Flood Insurance Right Now

You must act fast and purchase your insurance policy quickly because there is a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect. If you are at all unsure as to whether you need flood insurance, do not wait to find out when it is too late and your house is flooded.



Ask your neighbors. Talk to people at your local hardware store to find out whether or not floods are a major concern in your area.

Floods Can Happen Anywhere

Floods are not necessarily limited to coastal areas where tropical storms occur. It is reported that damage caused by floods is the most common type of household damage in the United States. You may live in a rural area with heavy snowfall during the winter.

During the spring, all of that snow melts. With no way for the ground to absorb and little to no drainage, all the water from the melted snow can flood your home and surrounding structures. This can go unchecked for up to two weeks. Or, you may live in a dessert area that doesn’t see rain for months. Tropical moisture often moves in during the summer and mixes with the warm desert air.

Flash floods ensue and since the ground is so dry and hard, there is no way for it to absorb the falling rain. Soon it accumulates and starts to flow at a deadly pace, carrying with it deadly debris and taking out everything in its path. Flash floods are rated the most deadly with respect to natural disasters. These killers can roll huge rocks and cars, destroy structures, and rip up trees.

Flood insurance is a necessary precaution that you should consider whether you own or rent. It is the best peace of mind you can buy in many cases for only $45 per month. For more on different types of flood insurance policies, what they cover and some bonuses they include, click here>>.