The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the governmental agency responsible for maintaining and updating the floodplain maps that are used across America to determine the areas that are in flood zones.

In the areas that are officially flood zones, which have a high risk of flooding, mortgage lenders and government-backed FHA loan programs require that a homeowner carry flood insurance. Your agent at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School serving the Palm Coast, FL area can help you get flood insurance, which meets these requirements. The problem is that these flood zones are no longer accurate.

In recent years, flooding occurred in many parts of the U.S. that had never seen any flooding like that before. Homes that were many miles outside flood zones were awash with water when river banks overflowed in record amounts during the past few years.

Many 500-Year Floods in a Few Years

All of this record flooding is due to the severe weather pattern changes that are happening. How bad is it?

FEMA has the designations on the flood zone maps of 100-year flood zones and 500-year flood zones. In a 100-year flood zone, there is one chance in a hundred (1%) each year of having a flood. In a 500-year zone, which has no requirement to carry flood insurance, there is only a 0.2% chance of having a flood each year. Sounds safe from floods, right?

Houston had three 500-year floods within three years. That is one 500-year flood each year. Homes that never had seen flood waters got hit by them for the first time, and then it happened again and again. Is that bad luck? Probably not. It likely means the maps are no longer useful in predicting flooding.

Summary

The message to everyone in Florida is that you need flood insurance for your home. Even if your mortgage lender does not require it, you probably should have it anyway.

Contact your agent at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School in Palm Coast, FL to get a quote for flood insurance.

If you are a Florida resident, then you’ve likely heard of flood insurance, but whether or not you are required to have it largely depends on what flood zone your home lies in. Whether you are in Palm Coast, FL or the Florida Keys, flood insurance is a reality in the state.

What is Flood Insurance?

Flood Insurance covers homes for losses due to water damage and specifically flooding. While any dwelling can be covered by additional flood insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency maps flood zones throughout the country to determine what areas are at the highest risk of damage from floods. They require flood insurance to be purchased at the time of a mortgage issuance. 

Is Flood Insurance Required in Florida?

If the flood zone maps from FEMA indicate that your home is located in a flood zone designated with an A or V, you will likely need to purchase flood insurance. However, homes in an X, C, or B flood zone are at a lower risk of flooding and may not be required to have additional coverage. However, even for Florida homes where flood insurance is not required, it may not be a bad idea to at least explore your coverage options. Talking through your options with a qualified insurance company like All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School in Palm Coast, FL will help you make an educated decision. 

How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost?

The pricing of the policy is mostly determined by the zone in which the property resides. It also includes other factors like the number of floors and the age of the home. At All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School, we’ll work with you to shop for the best rate that fits your needs.

 

 

When you live in Flagler County, you know that a little bit of rain can cause big problems when it comes to flooding. Even if you don’t live right on the water, you may experience significant amounts of water around your home. This is when it’s important to determine whether flood insurance is necessary or not. Rather than trying to make decisions on your own, you can work with us at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School in Palm Coast, FL.

FEMA Flood Zones

The first thing you want to do is find out whether you are in a FEMA-identified flood zone. These zones can change from year to year based on where flooding occurs. If you are in one of the zones, flood insurance is required above and beyond your homeowner’s insurance policy.

However, even if you aren’t in a flood zone, it may still be a good idea for you to have flood insurance.

Consider Flood Damage

If you live in a neighborhood where there is a significant amount of flooding, either due to grading or drainage issues, you need to be realistic about whether you need flood insurance or not. After a few days of rain, you may have a significant amount of water around your home. Some of this water can enter your home, too, causing serious water damage.

When you have flood insurance in place, it’s easier to file a claim. This way, you aren’t financially responsible for any water damage. Your homeowner’s insurance policy may even require you to have flood damage if you live in an area where a number of people have had to file claims in the past.

Contact us at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School today to learn more about flood insurance. We can help you get a policy that you can rely on in Palm Coast, FL.

 

There are different types of insurance policies to serve various functions, and protecting yourself from waters caused by hurricanes is always a concern of Florida residents. The team at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School understand the worries of their clients in the greater Palm Coast, FL area and are here to help. There are many homeowners and renters policy that specifically exclude coverage of damage caused by hurricanes, but there are other options. Florida residents are able to hold flood insurance that provides coverage for water damage that is caused by a storm or other natural disasters. 

Protect yourself, your home, and your family from hurricanes

Now is an excellent time to make sure that your insurance portfolio is complete and has all of the coverage that you need. Flood insurance is important to have in Florida, as hurricanes can cause quite a lot of damage. In addition to flood insurance, a wind policy is also advisable to give your home the full range of protection that it requires. Flood insurance can help you to recover from the damage that your home sustains due to the waters from a hurricane. This protection can sometimes include coverage for your structure and your belongings up to a certain level, depending on the policy. Some policies will also provide coverage for alternative housing while your home is uninhabitable during repairs.

Interested in finding out more about how you can protect your home from the damage caused by hurricanes? Contact the team at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School today and schedule an appointment to meet with one of our helpful agents. We are proud to serve our greater Palm Coast, FL community and look forward to working with you too!