Florida is a beautiful state and one where many people decide to spend their retirement years or vacation dollars. Sun, sand and awesome tropical weather are usually what we think of with Florida, but unfortunately flooding and Florida also go hand in hand. It’s vital for any homeowner that lives in FL to carry a Florida flood insurance policy to protect themselves.
Due to its location, Florida is extremely susceptible to both damaging storms and hurricanes as well as inland flooding from sustained heavy rain fall. You can see if your property is in a flood plain by viewing the FEMA flood maps viewer here. Type your address in and it will show you the areas near your home that sit in special flood hazard areas. Generally people purchase Florida flood insurance because they are mandated to by their mortgage provider, but every home should have at least some coverage for the peril of flooding – and remember that your regular homeowner’s insurance policy will not cover flooding.
Why get Florida Flood Insurance?
Florida is mostly made up of low lying wetland, marshes and swamps that are connected to open ocean. What this means for you, the homeowner, is that a LOT of places in Florida are extremely susceptible to flooding, and not just properties that are located directly on the coasts. Inland flooding can often be more destructive and deadly due to the many complications and health hazards that exist in flood waters. Florida has had its fair share of major flooding, from Hurricane Irma of recent years all the way back to events such as the Cape Sable Hurricane in 1947. This means that the need for Florida flood insurance shouldn’t be taken lightly, even if you feel like your home is in no particular danger. Almost a third of all flooding damages occur in low to moderate risk zones, and many times these homeowners are financially destroyed by these events and unable to continue to own their house. Don’t get caught in a bad situation with flooding, it’s easy to get a quote for Florida flood insurance quickly and often times we can save you money over an NFIP (national flood insurance program) policy.