1. “I don’t have to worry about flooding because I don’t live near a body of water.”

Although homeowners in Arizona may have thought the same thing, they were struck with historical flooding this summer. The Arizona flooding happened after heavy rains in the wake of Hurricane Norbert, and could happen again this week trailing Hurricane Odile in Arizona and Nevada--desert areas that are not adapted to heavy rainfall. 

Other events such as this summer's flooding in Detroit resulted when the city's older storm sewers could not handle the torrential downpour, Carmody says.

Standard NFIP policies cover damage from overflow of inland or tidal water, unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source, and midflow.

2. 

“I don't qualify for government flood insurance because my property isn’t located in a flood plain.”

NFIP can provide coverage available to any homeowner, regardless of their location, through two separate client segments: standard and preferred (B, C and X zones), and high-risk locations (A and V zones). Carmody estimates that 25% of all flood claims come from preferred or standard locations.

NFIP maps all areas based on risk, determined by how many years have passed since a flood has occurred in the area. Consumers can go to the FEMA website, plug in their address, and look up the flood zones themselves. Premiums are based on the level of risk. 

NFP requires its agents to research its clients’ individual flood risks and to inform them of their insurance options, no matter where they live, Carmody says.

3. 

“I can't afford flood insurance.”

In NFIP's standard and preferred areas, annual premiums can start as low as $415 a year for $250,000/$100,000 in coverage. 

The story is much different in high-risk flood areas (A and V zones). There, banks require flood coverage before the buyer can secure a mortgage. These buyers must obtain an elevation certificate, which lists the dwelling's base elevation and the highest point of the first livable floor, and the difference between the two.

Many property owners are unaware of FEMA building restrictions in flood-prone areas and turn lower-point areas of the home into finished basements or other living areas. Because the first floor is now at a lower point than the base property, flood premiums could be very expensive, Carmody says.

Also, this year FEMA will begin removing subsidies from many high-risk coastal areas, which will translate to dramatic premium increases for homeowners--as much as a 25% annual jump, he says. If the coverage is a for a non-primary residence, homeowners will see a surcharge or nonsubsidized rate at the start of the policy.

Policyholders in these areas can help mitigate premium increases by getting accurate, updated elevation certification and keep finished living areas and mechanicals out of their homes' lowest levels, Carmody says. "Whatever's down in that lower level is at risk," he says. "It's only meant to park cars."

4. 

"I already have homeowners' insurance, so I'm covered if my house floods."

In the deluge of claims following Superstorm Sandy, many policyholders did not know that their homeowners' coverage did not include flood. 

Agents should walk customers through the homeowners' policy and encourage purchasing separate policies for flood, Carmody says. Although the standard homeowners' policy does not cover overflow of inland or tidal waters, it does include coverage for damage from cracked pipes or other internal systems failure, he says. Additionally, sewer backup coverage is available by endorsement.

With private carriers entering the market in recent years, NFIP is not the only source for flood coverage, Carmody says. Chubb, AIG, Lloyd's, Fireman's Fund and specialty markets in coastal areas all write their own flood insurance with greater coverage definition than NFIP at about the same cost.

Call Southern Insurance Associates today and talk to someone about flood insurance for your home. 706-996-8788 or Info [at] SouthernInsuranceAssociates [dot] com