The Importance of Flood Insurance in Florida During Hurricane Season

Hurricanes can do serious damage to your home and your property. But the damage caused by wind, tornadoes, rain, and flying debris isn’t the only damage your home could suffer. And some of that damage might not be covered by your homeowners’ policy or your hurricane insurance. Believe it or not, flood damage is rarely ever covered by standard hurricane insurance. You need to invest in flood insurance if you want to fully protect your home. Here’s what your Florida hurricane insurance claims attorney wants you to know.

Why You Need Flood Insurance

Flood insurance is a supplemental insurance policy that almost every Florida homeowner should have in place before hurricane season hits. Let’s look at why.

Homeowners’ Insurance Doesn’t Cover Flooding

Homeowners’ insurance may cover much of the damage caused by hurricanes, but as we mentioned above, it doesn’t protect against flood damage. Why? Because insurance companies can control the types of hazards their policies cover and the types that they don’t.

Read your policy’s terms and see if flood damage is covered. If it is, count yourself lucky, and read the coverage details closely. Some policies only cover flood damage from named waterways, so if your home floods due to heavy rains or due to an overflowing ditch on your property, you’ll be out of luck.

Without Insurance You’ll Have to Pay for Repairs

Without flood insurance in place, you’ll have to pay the full cost of repairs out of pocket. Your homeowners’ insurance policy and any supplemental hurricane insurance coverage you have is not obligated to provide money for damage resulting from floods unless that damage is covered under your policy’s terms.

This means you could be stuck with thousands of dollars’ worth of repairs, even if your insurance policy covers damage from wind and other hazards.

Federal Assistance Isn’t Guaranteed (and May Not Be Enough)

As we’ve seen in the past, federal assistance through FEMA isn’t guaranteed, and even if you receive a payout, it’s highly unlikely that the amount of assistance you receive will cover the cost of repairs. And even if you do qualify for assistance, you may only qualify for loans that you’ll need to repay over time.

How Flood Insurance Protects Your Property and Your Wallet

Investing in flood insurance may mean having to pay an additional premium each month, but it can protect your wallet in the long run. Your flood insurance policy can help you with the following:

• Protecting your structure: Flood insurance covers your physical home, foundation, electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC, and other fixtures.
• Protecting your personal property: Items you keep inside your home like clothing, food, furniture, electronics, artwork, and other belongings are covered up to your policy’s coverage limits.

The policy will help you pay for repairs for damage caused by floods up to your policy’s limits. If you’re concerned about having enough coverage, conduct a home inventory and choose a policy that will give you enough protection to replace the items you need. Your insurance agent can help you figure out how much coverage you need.

Where to Find Coverage

You may be able to get flood insurance from your homeowners’ insurance provider. If they don’t offer coverage, you can compare prices with other insurance providers to choose a policy that meets your needs and your budget. Keep in mind that properties in high-risk areas may only qualify for policies through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Having Trouble With a Hurricane Insurance Claim?

Whether your home was damaged by a hurricane or a flood resulting from the hurricane, getting help with your claim is essential. Let an experienced Florida hurricane insurance claims attorney at Parrish Law help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.