Why Flood Insurance is Not Included With Your Policy
Living near a body of water can prove a dream come true for many homeowners. The sound of the waves, the cool breeze, and the beautiful views can all make for a peaceful and relaxing environment. However, living in close proximity to a body of water can also come with a significant risk: flooding. If you live in Shreveport, you should consider flood insurance.
Regional Risks
The Ark-La-Tex region, known for its humid subtropical climate, brings hot summers, mild winters, and frequent thunderstorms that can present damage from heavy rain.
The area often feels the brunt of what is brewing in the Gulf of Mexico, including hurricane storms.
The area is also home to several large bodies of water, including rivers, lakes, and bayous, which can make flooding a significant risk for homeowners.
In fact, the Ark-La-Tex area has a history of being a higher-risk area for flooding because of the bodies of water within the area.
One of the most prominent bodies of water in the Ark-La-Tex region is the Red River, which flows through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
The Red River is prone to flooding, particularly in areas downstream of reservoirs and dams, which can cause significant property damage and disrupt local communities.
Another significant body of water, Caddo Lake, sits on the border between Texas and Louisiana.
Caddo Lake is a beautiful, scenic area, but it is also prone to flooding, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
Other significant bodies of water in the Ark-La-Tex area include Toledo Bend Reservoir, Lake Texoma, Lake O’ the Pines, and the Sabine River.
All of these bodies of water can flood, and homeowners in the surrounding areas should remain aware of the potential risks and take steps to protect their homes and property.
Overall, flooding is a significant risk in the Ark-La-Tex region, and homeowners should take precautions to protect their homes and property.
Understand that standard home insurance policies do not typically cover flood damage. Homeowners in flood-prone areas should consider purchasing separate flood insurance policies to ensure they have adequate protection.
A Wrong Assumption
Many homeowners assume that their standard home insurance policy coverage protects from flood damage, but this is not always the case.
In fact, most standard home insurance policies specifically exclude flood damage from their coverage.
This means that if your home if a flood damages your home, you may face significant repair costs that your insurance policy will not cover.
Many standard home insurance policies do not cover flooding. Carriers consider flooding a high-risk event that can result in significant damage to a large number of homes and properties.
In fact, flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States, and the damage caused by floods can be extensive and costly.
Federal Flood Insurance
To protect against the financial losses that can result from flooding, the federal government established the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in 1968.
The NFIP is a federal program that provides flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners in participating communities.
The program helps individuals and communities recover from flood damage and reduce the financial impact of future floods.
While flood insurance exists through the NFIP and some private insurance companies, carriers typically sell it as a separate policy from standard home insurance policies.
Why? Flood insurance policies usually tend to cover damage caused by flooding, considered a separate and distinct risk from other types of damage, such as fire or theft.
Additionally, flood insurance policies are usually based on the flood risk of a particular property, taking into account factors such as its location, elevation, and proximity to bodies of water.
As a result, flood insurance premiums can vary widely depending on a property’s flood risk, which makes it difficult to include flood coverage as part of a standard homeowners insurance policy.
Bracing for the Flood
So, what can you do if you live near a body of water and are concerned about flooding? The answer is simple: purchase a flood policy.
Flood insurance is a separate policy that is specifically designed to protect homeowners from flood damage. This policy provides coverage for both the structure of your home and your personal belongings, so you can have peace of mind knowing that you are fully protected in the event of a flood.
As mentioned earlier, it’s important to note that flood insurance is not included in your standard home insurance policy and must be purchased separately.
One of the reasons flood insurance is not typically included in standard home insurance policies is because flood damage is often caused by natural disasters, such as hurricanes or heavy rainfall.
These events can be unpredictable and affect a large number of homes at once. As a result, insurance companies view flood damage as a higher risk and require separate coverage for it.
Another reason flood insurance is not included in standard home insurance policies is that the cost of repairing flood damage can be significant.
The average flood insurance claim in the United States is around $40,000, which is much higher than the average home insurance claim.
By purchasing flood insurance, you can protect your finances and ensure that you have the resources to repair any damage caused by a flood.
In addition to purchasing flood insurance, there are other steps you can take to protect your home from flood damage. For example, you can elevate your home or install flood barriers to help prevent water from entering your property.
It’s also important to keep important documents and personal belongings in a safe, elevated location in case of a flood.
Other Things Not Covered Automatically
While on the topic, it’s good to mention other things you’ll want to account for with either a rider on your home insurance policy or separate policies.
Aging or outdated systems
If your home has older plumbing, electrical, or heating and cooling systems, your standard home insurance policy may not cover damage caused by their failure or malfunction.
Homeowners may need to purchase additional coverage or upgrade their systems to ensure they adequate protection.
Jewelry and other high-value items
Standard home insurance policies typically have limits on the amount of coverage provided for high-value items such as jewelry, artwork, and collectibles. Homeowners may need to purchase separate endorsements or riders to fully insure these items.
Sewer backup
Standard home insurance policies may not cover damage caused by sewage backups. Although, some policies may offer optional endorsements for sewer backup coverage.
Home businesses
If you run a business out of your home, your standard home insurance policy may not provide adequate coverage for business-related liabilities and losses. You may need to purchase a separate business insurance policy to protect your home-based business.
Earthquakes
Most standard home insurance policies do not cover damage caused by earthquakes. Homeowners in earthquake-prone areas may need to purchase separate earthquake insurance policies to ensure they protection in the event of an earthquake.
We Can Help
Knowing what is covered and what isn’t proves very important. You don’t want to leave any insurance coverage to chance.
This is why it’s essential to work with an independent insurance agency like Watley Insurance Group.
As an independent agency, we have access to a wide range of insurance carriers and policies, including flood insurance. Our experienced agents can help you find the right policy for your needs and budget, so you can protect your home and belongings from flood damage.
At Watley Insurance Group, we understand the unique risks faced by homeowners who live near bodies of water.
That’s why we offer a range of insurance policies, including insurance with flood coverage from flood insurance companies to help protect your home and belongings.
Our experienced, independent insurance agents can help you understand your coverage options and find the right policy for your needs. Contact us today to learn more.
