Common questions about flood insurance

Flood insurance must be purchased as a separate policy because flood damage is not covered under homeowners policies.

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. In fact, your home is more likely to be damaged from flood than from a fire. Floods are caused by storms, melting snow, hurricanes, and water backup due to inadequate or overloaded drainage systems, dam or levee failure.

Federal disaster assistance is only available if the President declares a disaster, and more than 90% of all disasters are not Presidentially declared. Even when a disaster is declared, government assistance is provided as a loan that you must pay back with interest. Flood insurance, however, will cover damages even if a disaster is not declared.

Flood insurance is affordable, and less than you might expect. Professional Insurance Programs can provide you with a  rate quote. You can also visit FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/nfip/ for a chart of estimated premiums and additional information.

Direct physical losses caused by floods are covered. Also covered are losses resulting from flood-related erosion caused by strong, abnormally high waves or currents of water activity, severe storm, flash flood or abnormal tidal surge. Damage caused by mudslides as specifically defined in the policy forms is covered. Your basement structure, essential equipment and other basic items normally located in a basement are covered; however personal belongings stored in a basement, such as furniture, are not covered.

Call our office at 800-637-4676 or info@profinsprog.com. Anyone can obtain flood insurance as long as your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a federal program designed to provide reasonable flood insurance to homeowners, business owners, and renters.

There is usually a 30-day waiting period before a flood insurance policy can become effective.