As part of the National Weather Services’ Hurricane Preparedness Week, now is a good time to Get an Insurance Check-Up. With the 2020 hurricane season quickly approaching, FEMA encourages you to renew or purchase a flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to protect your home and belongings ahead of the next storm.
Where it can rain, it can flood.
The NFIP understands that a home is a safe structure. Now more than ever, it is important that you keep your home safe and secure for your peace of mind.
A property does not have to be near water to flood. In fact, people outside of high-risk flood areas filed 40% of all NFIP flood insurance claims between 2015 and 2019. Floods can result from storms, hurricanes, changes to the landscape as the result of new construction or wildfires and urban drainage systems overwhelmed by excessive water flow.
Just one inch of water in an average-sized home can cause $25,000 of damage. Without flood insurance, most residents have to pay out of pocket or take out loans to repair and replace damaged items.
Prepare for the Next Weather Event
The NFIP understands that a home is a safe structure. Now more than ever, it is important that you keep your home safe and secure for your peace of mind.
Flood insurance is a key piece of the preparedness puzzle. It’s important to remember that homeowners or renters insurance doesn’t typically cover flood damage. Flood insurance helps cover the cost of flood damage and allows you to recover. This is true whatever the cause of the flood — heavy rains, a blocked creek, inadequate drainage or an overtopped levee.
Typically, it takes 30 days for a flood insurance policy to go into effect so it’s important to act now. If you have flood insurance, now is a good time to review your coverage with your insurance agent to be sure you have the coverage you need.
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Plan Ahead
Natural disasters are often unpredictable. You should take the necessary precautions to reduce the potential for flood damage to your home.
- Keep important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.) in a safe, dry place.
- Clear debris from gutters and downspouts, make sure basements are waterproofed and ensure the sump pump is working.
- Reduce the risk of damage from flooding by elevating critical utilities, such as electrical panels, switches, sockets, wiring, appliances and heating systems.
You can’t always predict the weather, but you can be prepared for it by purchasing a flood insurance policy from the NFIP. To learn more about the benefits of flood insurance, or to find a local flood insurance provider, visit FloodSmart.gov.
The NFIP understands that a home is a safe structure. Now more than ever, it is important that you keep your home safe and secure for your peace of mind.