Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Get Flood Insurance

Flooding: The Most Common and Costly Disaster

As recent storms have shown us, just because you aren’t in a designated flood zone doesn’t mean you’re safe from flooding. Flooding is the most frequent natural disaster in the U.S., and Florida is especially vulnerable. Few people realize that most standard homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. With only 18% of Florida households covered by flood insurance, too many people are at risk of paying thousands of dollars in repair costs. And it’s not just structural damage to your home —flooding can destroy your furniture, appliances, and other valuables too.

But here’s the surprising part: more than 25% of flood insurance claims come from areas outside of high-risk flood zones. So, whether you live near water or not, your home could still be at risk from rising sea levels, rivers jumping their banks or excessive city runoff due to heavy rainfall, or even broken water mains.

Why You Need Flood Insurance

If you’re wondering whether you really need flood insurance, the answer is a clear “YES.” Here’s why:

• Floods can happen anywhere. Whether you live on the coast or inland, floods are a real threat. In fact, slow-moving tropical storms in Florida often result in significant inland flooding.
• Homeowners policies typically don’t cover flooding. You need a separate flood insurance policy to protect against this kind of damage.
• Flooding is expensive. Repairs to your home can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and without flood insurance, those costs come directly out of your pocket.

While you can’t predict when a flood might happen, you can protect your home and your finances with flood insurance. Visit our Flood page to learn more about what is covered and to request a quote from an agent near you.

Read more:

Fact Sheet: Myths and Facts About Flood Insurance | FEMA.gov

Flood Insurance Overview (myfloridacfo.com)