Flood Insurance

One of the most common misconceptions in the insurance industry is that flooding is covered under a homeowner’s insurance policy. Flood insurance is not a standard component of a homeowners insurance policy and for your home to be properly protected from flood damage, you will need a separate flood insurance policy. Florida has the highest risk of flooding out of all 50 states. Many homes and buildings are located at sea level or slightly above. The majority of Florida is surrounded by 2 major bodies of water, while inland, there are over 1700 lakes and rivers across the state. Strong storms and hurricanes can cause water in these areas to rise, causing significant flooding.

Clearwater residents are no strangers to flooding and the devastation that it can cause. Tropical Storm Debby caused extensive flooding throughout Pinellas Country in the summer of 2012. The storm was estimated to have reached over $250 million in losses. More recently, Tropical Storm Colin, the earliest third named storm on record, hit Clearwater and the surrounding communities causing heavy flooding.

Supplementing your homeowners policy with flood insurance is a wise investment for any homeowner. You do not need to be in a high-risk area to be affected by flooding. 1 in 5 flood insurance claims are actually paid for homes that are located in low and moderate-risk areas. Homes located in high risk areas have a 1 in 4 chance of flooding during the lifetime of a 30-year mortgage. Whether you are in Clearwater, Crystal Beach, Palm Harbor, or Ozona, flood insurance is something that every homeowner in Florida should consider.

Flood Insurance is available for homeowners, renters, and businesses. Coverage varies based on the type of property you are insuring:

For some Florida residents, flood insurance is mandatory. If you live in a high-risk area or Special Flood Hazard Area and have a mortgage from a federally regulated lender, flood insurance is mandatory for the life of your mortgage. For those in a low-risk area, a flood insurance policy may be available at a significantly lower rate.

Many flood insurance policies are offered through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). With rising flood insurance rates over the past few years, private flood insurance has gained increasing popularity. At American Family Agencies, we are able to work with many of these private carriers to offer lower flood insurance rates for Clearwater residents.

Contact our team of experienced agents today with any questions you may have about Florida Flood Insurance. Do not leave your home unprotected from the severe damage flooding can cause.