Insure your home from risk of flood damage
Standard homeowners policies generally cover water damage from sources inside the home – like a burst pipe. But those policies typically exclude damage from water sources outside the home – like overflowing streams inundating a basement. That’s where flood insurance can help.
Get started reviewing your options online today, or call our licensed insurance agent at (800) 215-2454. Serving clients in MA,RI,CT NY, NJ,PA,FL,GA, IN, IL, OH, CA, UT and TX.
Choose total water coverage
Floods, or any extreme weather event, can happen anywhere, whether you live in an ocean front property, near a lake or river, or somewhere inland. Though not always top of mind, it is important to understand that the risk of flood damage is real.
Property coverage
Get up to $15 million in total property coverage for your home and contents.
Basement coverage
For your basement we will automatically cover possessions like televisions, pool tables and exercise equipment, up to $15,000.
Temporary expense
Up to $7,500 for a temporary residence, meals, and other expenses if you can’t live in your home during repairs.
Safeguard belongings
Reimbursement for up to $5,000 to safely move your valuable belongings or safeguard your home in a flood warning area.
Flooding has long been the nation’s most costly natural disaster. In the face of mounting flood losses and escalating disaster relief costs to the general taxpayers, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through the enactment of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.
The NFIP is a federal program enabling property owners in participating communities to purchase flood insurance protection against losses from flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the NFIP, makes flood insurance available to residents in local communities that adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances designed to reduce future flood damage.
Today, the NFIP provides flood insurance protection to about 4.7 million policyholders across nearly 23,000 participating communities.
Even though flood insurance isn’t required for your property, flooding can happen to anyone.
In fact, from 2014 to 2018, policyholders outside of areas required to carry flood insurance filed over 40 percent of all NFIP flood insurance claims and required one-third of federal disaster assistance for flooding.
Federal disaster assistance is only made available when there is a Presidential disaster declaration, and most flood events do not result in a declaration. Disaster assistance typically comes in the form of loans that must be repaid – with interest!
Disaster assistance from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration is designed to kick-start recovery, but is not enough to restore your home to its pre-disaster condition or to replace your treasured household items.
Flood insurance does not have to be paid back, and it is designed to help restore your property to its pre-disaster condition. There is no better way to protect the life you’ve built than with NFIP flood insurance.
No, most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. It also won’t fulfill the mortgage or federal disaster assistance requirements for flood insurance. Only flood insurance meets those rules and covers the cost of rebuilding after a flood.
Yes, but only if the president officially declares a disaster. Most flood events do not get a presidential disaster declaration.
Disaster assistance from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration is designed to kick-start recovery. If your home received federal assistance in the past, you must have flood insurance to get it again.
Disaster aid typically comes in the form of loans that must be repaid with interest. Flood insurance claim payments, on the other hand, do not have to be paid back.
Check your community’s status on FEMA’s website. Scroll down to “Find a Community Status Report” and select your state.
To be eligible for NFIP coverage, a building must meet the following criteria:
Be located in a community that participates in the NFIP.These are buildings situated within towns or cities that have chosen to join the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Learn more about participating in the NFIP
Cannot be entirely over water, if constructed on or after October 1, 1982.
Be affixed to a permanent site.
Have two or more rigid exterior walls and a fully secured roof.
Be capable of resisting flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.
Have at least 51% of its Actual Cash Value (ACV) located above ground level.
In addition, manufactured (mobile) homes and travel trailers must also:
Be anchored to a permanent foundation, such that wheels and axles do not support the structure’s weight, using over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors per the manufacturer’s specifications or in compliance with the community’s floodplain management regulations.
You can also call or email the NFIP’s FEMA Mapping and Insurance eXchange (FMIX) Customer Service Specialist.
