When you think of living in Florida, white beaches and sunny skies is what likely comes to mind. What any long-time resident can tell you is that Florida is more than just fun in the sun. It can come with some pretty severe weather during the rainy season. And, rain and storms can mean severe flooding.
This can make having the proper amount of home and flood insurance a challenge. Many snowbirds leave campers, trailers or homes vacant during the wet season with no way to monitor or protect their property.
Although Florida has not passed a statewide regulation that you must have flood insurance on your home, most lenders will insist on the extra policy. Most home policies will not cover flood damage so it’s important to talk to a reputable broker like Allstate to make sure that you have the coverage that you need.
Is It Required?
You will need to talk to your specific lender to find out if flood insurance is a requirement. It is not state-mandated at this time, but most mortgage lenders will insist on having the proper coverage.
How Do You Get It?
If you want to protect your home and property in Florida you can get affordable flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. You can get a quote based on your property location through your current broker. All areas of Florida are represented on a flood plain map that will be used to determine the risk of damage.
Who Needs It?
It is recommended that all residents living in Florida either full time or part-time have the appropriate amount of flood insurance. There is no area in Florida that is not in a potential flood area. This means that you really aren’t safe anywhere, even if you aren’t living in a coastal area. With rising sea levels and increasingly severe storm seasons, it’s best to get the protection that you need.
What Does It Cover?
Your standard home policy will not cover damage to property or possessions in the event of floods. Additional flood insurance can help you to protect your home and belongings in the case of rising floodwaters. Coverage caps at $250,000 for structural damage replacement and repairs and at $100,000 for home contents.
Flood insurance will only cover damages that are caused by natural flooding. Drain backups, sump pump failure or water damage due to driving rain will not be covered under your flood insurance policy.
It’s The Wise Choice
If you want to live in Florida, it’s in your best interest to protect yourself. With over 1,300 miles of gorgeous coastline in the state, it’s only a matter of time before you could have a problem with flooding. Talk to your insurance broker today and make sure that you have the protection that you need.
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