Flood Insurance: What You Need to Know.

If you’re in the position where you are asking yourself if you need flood insurance, the answer is most likely yes. While some home and property owners are mandated to have flood insurance because of their location or the fact they are in a flood zone, some home owners choose to purchase flood insurance in addition to their homeowner’s insurance policy as a safe guard.

It is unfortunate, but many home and property owners learn too late that their homeowners insurance will not cover property damage inflicted from a hurricane or flood.

If you live in Southern Florida or on the coast, it is imperative that you purchase flood insurance. It is also necessary that you educate yourself on what flood insurance does-and does not, cover.

Flood insurance can be a great financial asset to have following a devastating hurricane or flooding. While you may think that purchasing flood insurance will keep you in the clear, it doesn’t cover every single aspect of flooding.

If something breaks inside your home such as pipes bursting, and this leads to flooding inside the home, your flood insurance policy will not apply. However, a proper homeowners’ policy should cover this type of damage.

It is also important to realize that flooding from swimming pools and landscaping (i.e., sprinkler system) are not covered under flood insurance policies. If your swimming pool or landscaping malfunctions and damages your home, you will not be covered under flood insurance!

If your home or property floods and sustains mold or mildew damage that could have been prevented, your insurance policy will not cover the damage. Items typically stored in the basement are not covered, so if you have valuables it is better to store them elsewhere. Papers, currency and business/living expenses are not covered under flood insurance, so being proactive is key.

While flood insurance may seem like it proposes a lot of limitations, its use is to cover damage primarily incurred via hurricanes, mudslides, coastal flooding, severe rainstorms and storm surges. Residents across the state of Florida should be prepared and purchase flood insurance well in advance of the hurricane season. Flood insurance typically takes 30 days to become active, so plan accordingly.

If you’ve experienced flooding or damage from a hurricane, storm surge or high winds and are in need of restoration services, Ultra Restoration is at your service 24 hours a day, & days a week. Learn more about Ultra Restoration and the "Register Before Disaster" Priority Customer Service List and never have to wait for restoration or construction services again.