Since opening our doors in 2008, Florida Flood Insurance’s goal has been to not only provide the best flood insurance options for all flood zones, but also to be the industry-leading expert for all things flood for you, our customer, on what flood insurance is, what it covers and why it is needed. We’re here for you to answer the most frequently asked questions about flood insurance in Florida.
1
I have a homeowner insurance policy so I’m covered in the event of a flood. Is that correct?
 

The vast majority of homeowners’ insurance policies only cover damage caused by threats such as fire, lightning, windstorms, hail, and theft/vandalism.

There are other some policies that can cover additional threats, floods and earthquakes are typically not covered even on such policies. Therefore, a separate flood insurance policy is necessary to cover any damage to your home or business caused by flooding.

2
What do I do if the is not enough to cover the value of my home and contents?
 

Many private insurance companies such as Ace or Hiscox offer enhanced or excess flood protection through Florida Flood Insurance, which provides limits above $250,000 or the NFIP coverage amount. Our team of Florida flood agents can assist in finding the additional coverage you need.

For more information, Contact a Florida flood insurance!Our agents are happy to discuss your options to make sure you’re fully protected and you have the coverage that fully covers your needs.

3
What does flood insurance cover?

Flood zones are always being updated. To see if your county has recently been affected, visit our parent site NationalFloodInsurance.org and see a list of recent flood zone changes nationwide.

If your flood zone has changed, you want to make sure your home or property is fully covered or you have additional questions, contact one of our agents who can assist you with possible discounts you might qualify for, find out how much your yearly premium will be, and make you aware of any special situations that may affect your property or business’s flood insurance coverage.

4
Why is my mortgage lender requiring I purchase flood insurance for my new home?
 

If your home is located in a high-risk flood area and your mortgage is from a federally regulated bank, it is mandatory to carry flood insurance. While flood insurance is not federally required for properties in moderate- to low-risk flood areas (or if you own your home outright), your lender may still
require flood insurance be purchased.

Considering Florida’s high risk of flooding statewide, it is strongly recommended that all homeowners carry flood insurance due to the amount of flood claims
made in low- to moderate-risk zones.

5
Should I get flood insurance for my Florida home or business
 

Flood insurance is not required for every home in Florida. Approximately 20% of flood insurance claims come from moderate- to low-risk areas where flood insurance may not be required. Consider that the vasy majority of homes and businesses damaged by Hurricane Harvey in 2017 were catagorized as moderate- to low-risk properties. With this in mind, we strongly encourage you to carry flood insurance no matter your flood zone. Ask one of our flood agents if you qualify for the Preferred Risk Policy (a lower-cost flood insurance policy) that provides building plus contents coverage for only a few hundred dollars a year. We also encourage you to visit www.myfloodrisk.org to get more information on your flood risk.

6
Is flood insurance expensive in Florida?

The average flood insurance premium in Florida is under $500 a year. Your exact premium is calculated by factors such as amount and type of coverage, location of the property, the age and value of your home, property elevation and structure, and the deductible. Due to recent flood insurance reform and flood zone changes in specific counties in Florida, this amount may not reflect current flood insurance costs for certain areas.

At Florida Flood Insurance, we can help you determine your premium, which discounts you might qualify for and if there are any special siuations with your home or business that may affect your flood insurance coverage.

7
Is my home or business eligible for flood insurance?
Yes!
Everyone in Florida is eligible for flood coverage as everyone lives in a flood zone. Qualifying for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) coverage will depend on your flood zone and community where the property is located. If your community does not participate with the NFIP, you could still be eligible through a private carrier, which Florida Flood Insurance can provide direct access to.
8
If a flood affects my home or business, won’t disaster assistance cover my property?

For disaster assistance to be offered for your home or business, the President must declare a national disaster – and that is not guaranteed. Consider that federal assistance is not insurance – it is a low-interest loan. FEMA gives a nice example to better understand how this loan works:
Borrow $50,000 at 4%to repair your property.
Over the next 30 years, you’ll pay about $240 a month in addition to your mortgage to pay back the loan.

9
Can I buy flood insurance online for my home or business?
 

Yes and no.
Florida Flood Insurance offers a fast (less than 15 minutes) online quoting process where you can receive a free online quote with only a few answers to some basic questions about the home or business, but you will still need to contact a flood agent to bind coverage.

Our sophisticated quoting system provides a free flood zone determination, as well as an instant, estimated yearly premium if the property is in flood zones B, C, or X. Once the process is complete, you will need to briefly speak with one of our flood agents to bind the policy, as additional information will be required (as with any insurance provider). Completing the quote request online will help expedite your request!

You can only purchase flood insurance through an insurance agent; you cannot buy it directly from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Since Florida Flood Insurance is a general agent, we can quickly process all flood insurance policies through the NFIP or through one of our many private carriers.

10
If my home is flooded, what will flood insurance cover?

Flood insurance covers physical damage to your property and possessions (up to a certain limit depending on your flood policy). To learn more, please click the link below for a more detailed guide of what is and what is not covered to better understand your flood insurance policy in Florida.
What Flood Insurance Covers>>

If you have another question after reviewing the attachment, Contact one of our flood experts.

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