{"id":3522,"date":"2020-03-07T00:16:06","date_gmt":"2020-03-07T00:16:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=3522"},"modified":"2025-01-17T22:25:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T22:25:00","slug":"do-i-need-flood-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/homeowners-insurance\/homeowners-insurance-and-weather-damage\/do-i-need-flood-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"Do You Need Flood Insurance?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
As winter turns into spring, the ice and snow melt, and the water flows into rivers and lakes. For some people who live in low-ground areas, this brings a risk of flooding. There are two big issues with this. First, it doesn\u2019t take any time for floodwaters to rise, often within a matter of minutes. Second, even a small amount of water can do significant damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re in the market to buy a new home, your mortgage company will inform you whether you need flood insurance. If you currently own a home but haven\u2019t ever purchased this type of coverage, you should find out sooner than later if you need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember the flooding in New Orleans? Once the water breached the levees during Hurricane Katrina, flash flood waters covered a large portion of the city. Thousands upon thousands of people lost everything, and for some, that included their lives. Fast-moving water isn\u2019t something to play around with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another example is the flooding in Texas. In the case of the 2017 Houston flooding, major rainfall from Hurricane Harvey refused to let up. The flooding led to massive destruction \u2014 more than $125 billion in property damage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, you don\u2019t have to live in a hurricane zone to experience a flash flood. Fortunately, most areas at risk have some kind of flood control system in place. Even then, that\u2019s not always enough. Again, a prime example is flooding in New Orleans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since water travels downward, not only could you lose everything on a higher level, but you also could experience basement flooding. Even if you have a powerful sump pump, it wouldn\u2019t be enough to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the best ways to find out if you need this type of coverage is to talk to your mortgage lender. Another great option is to speak with a representative from your insurance company. That professional can quickly identify whether your home is in an area at risk for flooding. In either case, they\u2019ll use an official flood map that pinpoints exact locations that are high-risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people make the mistake of thinking their homeowner\u2019s insurance includes protection from floods. That\u2019s not the case. You need a second policy for flood insurance. Typically, the mortgage company requires homeowners to have this type of coverage if they live in a flood zone. So, without proof of protection, you couldn\u2019t get a loan.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to Determine if You Need Flood Insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What Does Flood Insurance Cover?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n