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Flood Insurance

Don't rely

on you're
homeowner's policy
to cover a
flood loss

Many policyholders have the mistaken belief their homeowner or dwelling fire policy will cover the loss when their structure is damaged by flood. It will not! That is not to say it will never cover water damage in your home. If a pipe suddenly breaks under the sink and your kitichen is full of water, it may feel like a flood, but it isn't. Your homeowner policy would likely address this type of loss.

So just what is a flood? Think rising water. It can be an overflow of inland or tidal waters; unusual and rapid accumulaltion or runoff of surface waters from any source; mudflow; or collapse of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood as defined above.

Flood coverage may be purchased from FEMA under the National Flood Insurance Program. There are two types of flood coverage, Building coverage up to a maximum of $250,000 and Personal Property coverage up to a maximum of $100,000.

Flood coverage above these amounts may be purchased from the Excess Flood market through certain private companies not part of the NFIP. With the large number of homes in our area exceeding $250,000 in replacement value, we at the Roberts Insurance Group encourage the purchase of excess coverage in these higher value situations.

It is imperative to remember everyone in Florida lives in a flood zone. It is just a matter of to what degree. There are High-risk areas (Special Flood Hazard Area) labeled on flood-hazard maps as zones "A" or "V", where homeowners with federally regulated mortgages are required to purchase coverage. And there are Moderate-to low risk areas labeled as "B", "C", or "X" zones where coverage is recommended but not required.

Please remember you do not have to live near water to be flooded. You may be flooded by storms, hurricanes, broken water mains or from water back up due to overloaded drainage systems. Coverage is available to homeowners, condo owners, apartments owners, renters and business owners alike.

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