flood insurance

September 19, 2016

Flood Preparation

Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States and can happen anywhere at any time. It may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. While it can happen without notice, there are some areas that are more prone to flooding. The physical damage caused by flooding depends on the speed and level of the water, the duration, terrain, and environment. It can cause fatalities and serious injuries, wreck transportation routes, cause power outages may be disrupted, contaminate drinking water, and collapse homes and buildings. Even a few inches can cause thous ands of dollars in damage.

There are steps you can take to prepare for flooding and to minimize your losses.

Safeguard your possessions and start by creating a personal flood file in a waterproof deposit box or container. Be sure to include:

A copy of your insurance policies

A household inventory for insurance purposes

Copies of all important documents, including finance records or receipts of major purchases

Prepare your house by making sure you always have battery operated back-up to all electronic items, keep your home and gutter clear of debris, raise all electrical components, move all valuables to a safe place.

Most importantly, you want to develop a family emergency plan. Always create a kit to include water, canned food, first aid, blankets, a radio, and a flashlight. Be aware of all emergency contact numbers, plan an evacuation route, and be sure to have a plan for your pets as well.

While you are at it- -update that flood insurance policy!

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October 3, 2015

Florida Flood Insurance: How Residents Can Obtain and Benefit from It

Flooding is a tragic event that damages countless homes and can cause injuries to hundreds of people each year. What many individuals do not know is that flooding can occur just about anywhere in the United States. Excess rain and broken drainage systems are just a few of the many causes of flooding all across the country. Despite the fact that flooding can occur anywhere in the United States, there are some areas that are more prone to flooding than others.

Each year, a large number of individuals move into the state of Florida. Due to its warm temperatures and beautiful weather, Florida has not only become a vacation hotspot. Florida has also become a popular place to live. Despite the fact that Florida is almost always beautiful, it does have its fair share of bad weather. When this bad weather comes it is often in the form of a hurricane.

Hurricane can bring high winds, tornadoes, thunderstorms, and large amounts of rainfall. When it comes to a hurricane it has been said that flooding is a large concern in Florida. Many individuals are unable to pay out-of-pocket to repair their flood damaged homes. That is why a large number of Florida residents obtain flood insurance coverage.

Insurance anywhere in the United States is important, but Florida flood insurance could be on the most important. Every summer Florida is at risk for multiple hurricanes, excess rainfall, and flooding. That is why it is important that all residents obtain Florida flood insurance.

As with car insurance, homeowner’s insurance, and life insurance, there are options when it comes to selecting a coverage plan. A large number of individuals mistakenly believe that all flood insurance coverage is the same. The cost of Florida flood insurance is likely to vary. The National Flood Insurance Program, which offers affordable flood insurance to all Americans, takes a number of factors into consideration when deciding on coverage plans.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has developed Flood Rate Maps. These maps are used by the National Flood Insurance Program to determine the risk associated with providing flood insurance to a specific household. In addition to the Florida Flood Insurance Rate Maps, the National Flood Insurance Program may also take into consideration what Florida has done to prevent or limit the amount of flooding that occurs in their area.

Florida flood insurance that is backed by the National Flood Insurance Program and the Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is sold directly through the program or through a licensed agent. Purchasing Florida flood insurance from a licensed agent may save Florida residents additional money. Due to state laws on rebates, flood insurance agents are able to offer insurance coverage for a discounted price. In fact, AmeriFlood is currently offered a 12% upfront rebate discount on all plans.

Florida flood insurance is a must have for all state residents. When the next hurricane makes l andfall, do not be unprotected. You are encouraged to contact a flood insurance agent today to obtain a free flood insurance quote.

September 16, 2015

FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map: What Is and Where You Can Find One

Flooding is a disastrous event that can occur in a wide number of locations. Despite the fact that flooding can occur just about anywhere in the United States, there are some areas that are more prone to flooding than others. It is often hard for individuals, especially those who are new to the area, to tell if they are living in an area that is prone to flooding. That is one of the many reasons why FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps were developed.

FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps are a collection of maps that detail the likelihood of flooding occurring in a particular area. In addition to keeping the public aware of flooding risks, the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate maps are also used to assist the National Flood Insurance Program in offering affordable flood insurance to Americans living in high-risk flood zones.

FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps are a valuable source of information to homeowners, business owners, construction workers, city officials, and others. While the maps are beneficial, there are many individuals who are unaware that there may be a FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map for their area. If you are looking to purchase a home or a business in an area that you are unfamiliar with or you just want to educate yourself on flooding risks, you have a number of ways gain access to your local FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map.

The most common way to obtain access to your local FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map is to visit the FEMA’s online website. Once at FEMA’s website site you should be able to easily search for your local FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map. If you are only interested in quickly viewing a FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map you can do so for free online. If you are interested in having your own printed FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map then you may have to purchase one.

In addition to obtaining a local FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), you may also be able to view one by speaking to local government officials. Many cities, towns, and state offices have a FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map on h and. You may not be able to take the map outside of their offices, but you may be able to quickly examine it.

Many individuals prefer to look at a FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map, but sometimes hearing the information on those maps is just as good. If you are unable to find a free FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map, you can contact a local or national flood insurance agent for more information. These maps are taken into consideration when flood insurance is offered; therefore, most flood insurance agents would have access to multiple FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps.

Many individuals who are searching for a FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map are doing so because they are interested in obtaining flood insurance. If you contact a flood insurance agent, you may be able to determine your flooding risk and obtain flood insurance coverage all at the same time. In addition to providing valuable flood insurance information, a small number of agents are also able to offer National Flood Insurance Program coverage for a discounted price. That discount can be as high as 12%.

August 25, 2015

Do You Really Need Disaster Insurance?

The expenses involved with owning a home can be overwhelming at times – routine maintenance, repairs, seasonal preparations, improvements. Not to mention taxes, fees, and all those monthly bills. Some homeowners, in trying to reduce their expenses, wonder if they really need disaster insurance.

Disaster insurance is typically defined as additional homeowner’s insurance to cover events like hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods. Home insurance policies typically cover hurricanes and tornadoes (review your policy to be certain in covers damage from such events). But often damage from floods and earthquakes isn’t covered. This extra insurance, if desired, must be purchased in addition to your st andard homeowner policy, and it can be expensive, depending on where you live.

Because disaster insurance can be expensive, it’s a type of coverage some homeowners opt not to buy. But in some cases they are required to buy. For example, mortgaged homes in the US that are located in designated flood hazard areas are required to buy flood insurance through the US National Flood Insurance Program. Of course, once those mortgages are paid, there is no longer a requirement to buy such insurance. But homeowners in those areas should carefully consider whether they really want to take the risk that their home and everything in it could be swept away, leaving them with nothing but an empty lot. Homeowners that aren’t in designated flood hazard areas should still know that floods can cause plumbing problems, like sewer and septic backups. These often aren’t covered in a st andard homeowner’s policy, and they may want to consider an endorsement for coverage.

In the US, many tend to think that only the area along the west coast is subject to earthquakes. This isn’t true however, and 39 US states have some potential for earthquakes. Coverage for seismic events can be very expensive in California and other western states, but homeowners in other states should evaluate the cost vs. the earthquake risk for the area where they live.

Flood Preparation

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