As a homeowner, you are well aware of the importance of homeowners insurance to protect your home and its contents. But did you know that your homeowner insurance DOES NOT cover damage to your home or contents resulting from a flood (aka rising water)? Everyone’s home is at risk of flash flooding, but depending on your property location, your home is either considered at high-risk or at moderate-to-low risk for a flood. And, your insurance premiums will fluctuate accordingly.
Although you cannot prevent a flood, you can be prepared for the event and insure that you are able to get your family, home and hard-earned belongings back in order as quickly as possible. Follow these simple steps below and be prepared!
Safeguard your family’s financial stability. Create a personal “flood file” containing information about all family members and your personal possessions. Then come up with a safe place to store the file, such as a fireproof or safety deposit box, and make sure both you and your spouse or children know where the file is kept. This special file should contain copies of the following:
•A copy of all family members personal, life and health insurance policies and contact information for your agent and toll free numbers for the companies in the event the agent is effected by the storm too!
•Photos or video of each room in your home to verify ownership of your possessions. Try to include receipts for the high value items when possible.
•Photo copies of all other critical family documents, including birth certificates and finance records.
•Emergency contact information for friends, neighbors and relatives
If you don’t have flood insurance, contact your local insurance agent to discuss your risk level, the National Flood Insurance Program at (888) 379-9531, or visit the FEMA website for more details
http://msc.fema.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&categoryId=12001&langId=-1&userType=G&type=1 .
FACT: Floods are the #1 Natural Disasters in the United States and in 2007, flooding occurred in all 50 states.
