Many homeowners fail to inquire about all the details of their home policy, which then causes them to be surprised when they find out that it doesn’t cover flood insurance. Some homeowners believe they don’t need flood insurance because they do not live in special flood hazard areas.
There are two types of flood insurance: building property and personal property.
– Building property covers damage done to your building (excluding its contents) by the disaster and is estimated by the actual cash value of the building at the time of the flood.
– Personal property covers the cost replacement of damages done to your movable items such as furniture, clothing, and electronics.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) mandates all homeowners in the danger zone to purchase the required flood insurance, while others are left to choose. However, as a homeowner, it is essential to seek maximum protection against possible catastrophes, which is why we’ll be discussing the importance of flood insurance.
Most Policies Exclude Floods
Home insurance policies do not usually include coverage for water damage experienced during a flood. Hence, as a homeowner it is best to expand the scope of your insurance coverage so that it provides this additional insurance coverage in the event of this type of natural disaster. There’s no need to worry if your homeowners’ policy does not include coverage for the disaster as you can purchase additional coverage from your previous agent or the NFIP.
There Is No Guarantee That Your Area Will Never Experience a Flood
Homeowners in areas outside the special hazard zones may deem it unnecessary to purchase coverage. However, these danger regions are determined by past occurrences alone. There is no way to accurately predict the future, which is why there have been some unprecedented disasters in some of the areas previously designated “danger-free.”
Flood Insurance Outside the Hazard Areas Is Affordable
Flood insurance costs significantly less in areas with a lesser risk of this type of disaster than others. Hence, you may be spending less for a lot more. The reduced cost is due to the low possibility of occurrence, which goes into the standard for determining your rate.
Flood Damage Is Highly Disastrous
On average, the USA suffers eight million worth of damages per year due to flood. Also, a single person may suffer damages worth over $25,000.00 per disaster caused by only one inch of water in a building. While you may not see the need for this insurance, it is advisable to purchase it anyway because coverage against these risks far outweigh your doubts.
What You Need to Know Before Buying Flood Insurance
Before you purchase flood insurance, here are some things to look out for to ensure that you get the best coverage for your home.
1.) Coverage rate is determined by the date of purchase, level of risk, and type of building, and is set by the natural authorities. Hence, it does not vary from one carrier to another.
2.) You will be required to wait thirty days from the day of purchase until your coverage takes effect.
3.) Ask your carrier if lowering or increasing your deductible has any effect on your premium and total coverage.
4.) Make sure that the policy provides coverage for full replacement costs of all damaged properties caused by the natural disaster.
These are some of the reasons why you need flood insurance and what you must keep in mind before purchasing one. For assistance in getting the right homeowners insurance policy, contact the experts at Weeks & Associates Insurance Services in Thousand Oaks, California. We are ready to assist you with all your coverage needs today. Visit our site to get a quote today!
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