![]() It’s necessary for homeowners to get a flood insurance quote for each policy they are considering so they have an idea of how much the policy will cost. Small tweaks to these factors could make the premium more affordable. While the premium cannot be adjusted due to such nonflexible factors as the home’s location and age, it can fluctuate if the amount of coverage or the deductible changes. Premiums also depend on the type and amount of flood insurance coverage as well as the deductible amount, which is the portion the homeowner pays when a claim is filed. The cost of flood insurance varies based on a number of factors, including the home’s age, location, and type of construction (wood, stucco, brick, etc.). With flood insurance, Florida residents want to find the right coverage at the right price. Private-market flood insurance companies may have different coverage for both the building and personal belongings, so homeowners will need to ask about coverage type in advance in order to be prepared in the event they need to file a claim. However, NFIP policies include actual cash value coverage for personal belongings, so homeowners may receive far less than they initially paid for their items. With NFIP policies, replacement cost coverage applies to the building coverage, so it pays the amount needed to repair or rebuild the home to the same standard as it was prior to the flood damage. Replacement cost coverage helps pay to rebuild a home or replace personal belongings at current market rates, whereas actual cash value coverage pays the depreciated value of the home or personal belongings, which could mean homeowners will need to pay more out of pocket. If NFIP policies are not available, homeowners can usually purchase a private-market flood policy for the full value of the home. For homes that exceed this value, homeowners will need to purchase additional coverage from a private-market flood insurance company to cover the difference between what the NFIP policy will cover and the rest of the home’s value.įor instance, if a homeowner has a home valued at $450,000, they can purchase an NFIP policy for the initial $250,000 and a private-market flood insurance policy for the additional $200,000 needed to cover the home. With an NFIP policy, the building coverage limit is $250,000. It’s important for homeowners to buy enough flood insurance to cover their home’s value. Some companies also offer flood coverage as an endorsement added onto a homeowners insurance policy rather than as a stand-alone policy.įlood insurance includes building coverage, which pays to repair or replace the home’s structure if it’s damaged by a covered flooding event. Private-market flood insurance companies offer flood insurance to homeowners where NFIP coverage is not available or if the NFIP coverage limits are not sufficient to cover their home and belongings. Flood insurance coverage under NFIP is limited to $250,000 for the dwelling structure and $100,000 for personal belongings. Through NFIP, the federal government provides flood insurance through private insurance agents. Private Flood Insuranceįlood insurance is typically available from two sources: the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and private-market flood insurance companies. Finding a company with a high AM Best rating also bodes well for having claims paid as agreed. When shopping for the best flood insurance, Florida residents will want to look for companies that offer sufficient coverage limits, affordable rates, and a seamless and timely claims process. Photo: What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Flood Insurance Companies in Florida Working with the best homeowners insurance companies in Florida is a good way to find the best insurance for floods, though there are some companies that specialize in flood insurance coverage and don’t offer other types of coverage. This is not the same as water damage caused by a busted pipe or sewer backup, so homeowners will need to understand the difference in order to get the right coverage. Instead, homeowners will need to purchase separate flood insurance coverage to fully protect their homes due to flooding from hurricanes, high river or lake levels, and tropical storms. Many Florida homeowners may wonder, “ Do I need flood insurance?” While homeowners are usually fully aware that they need homeowners insurance to protect their homes in the event they are damaged or destroyed, they may not know that traditional homeowners insurance alone does not cover damage caused by flooding.
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