When undergoing a flood to your home or business, it can be stressful, devastating, and more often than not this is unexpected. Did you know that in the past 5 years, all 50 states have undergone some type of flooding event; whether it was flash flooding or just normal flooding? Also, many home and business owners may not know this, but homeowners insurance does not cover any type of flood damage that occurs to your property. That is why it is important to be prepared beforehand; so that you are not dolling out thousands of dollars when you could be saving it instead. Even just a few inches of water in your home or business can cost thousands of dollars in repairs and restoration fees.
Also, flash floods can bring walls of water into your property that can be 10 to 20 ft high. Hurricanes, snowmelt, and winter storms are the most common causes of flooding that home and business owners usually overlook. Spring is a good time to begin looking for a plan for you, if you do not already have flood insurance. It takes approximately 30 days for your specific plan to go into effect, and spring storms are on their way! Unfortunately, if your community does not participate with the NFIP, than you cannot receive flood insurance for your property.
Flood insurance is always a smart idea for any home or business owner, because it will minimize the risk of any further damage being sustained to your property. If you live in a high-risk area, your home is more susceptible to be damaged by a flood than by a fire. The NFIP is responsible for almost 48.1 billion dollars worth of insurance claims and related issues to homes and businesses that have been damaged by floodwaters.
If you have recently suffered from a storm, there are some important steps to take whether you receive flood insurance coverage or not. First, call your insurance agent to get a claim. You should then check for structural damage before re-entering your property so that you are not trapped in the building in the case of it collapsing unexpectedly. Take photos of any floodwaters in your home, as well as your personal items that have been damaged by the extensive amount of water. Make a list of the damaged or lost items, some of the items may require disposal, so it is important to photograph these as well. You should keep the power off until an electrician is available to inspect your building for safety. Boil any drinking water and food prep until your local authorities tell you otherwise. You can also prevent mold by removing any damp contents from your home or business immediately. You should always wear boots and gloves to disinfect your property after a flood disaster.
Just because you may have never experienced a flood in your lifetime doesn’t mean that they do not happen. The risk of a flood is based on numerous factors such as rainfall, river flow, tidal surge, topography, flood control measures, and changes due to building and development. As a civilization, we are always growing and expanding, as does the risk for flooding to occur to your property. It is definitely in your best interest to look into flood insurance for your property!
