Flood Insurance for Your Home
As the second leading cause of natural disasters in 2019. The devastation
caused by floods is not limited to only high-risk areas either. Nearly 1/3 of all
flood claims come from areas not seen as high-risk areas. Homeowners
policy does not typically protect you, and flood insurance may even be
required by your lender.
Flood insurance covers storm surge and rising waters and is typically a
relatively inexpensive coverage that we recommend our clients obtain or at the
very least get a quote on.
According to FEMA the most expensive repairs are typically due to emergency
waterdamage.
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The average home insurance claim for water damage is $11,098.
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98% of basements experience some sort of water damage.
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14.6 million U.S. homes are at risk of flooding.
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On any given day, home water damage emergencies effect 14,000
people.
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Nationwide, household water damage costs up to $20 billion
annually.
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99% of U.S. counties were impacted by a flooding event between 1996 and 2019.
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Since 2000, flood damage has quadrupled.
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The average flood claim payout from the National Flood Insurance Program is
$52,000.
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Flood insurance costs $700 annually.
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One inch of flood water can cause more than $25,000 in damage.
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Homes on flood plains are overvalued by an average of $11,526 each for a total
of nearly $44 billion.
Water Damage Health Risks
Water entering a home can be detrimental to the health and well-being of those
living
there.
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Mold and mildew. The Center for Disease Control cites mold and
mildew as significant health risks that can produce allergens, irritants, and
toxic substances (myotoxins).
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Injuries. Aside from the obvious slip-and-fall, water is an
excellent conductor of electricity; electrocution can cause permanent bodily
damage and death.
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Chemical hazards. Depending where the water is coming from, it
may bring toxic chemicals with it; this is most typical of water damage from
natural disasters, such as floods.
Water Contamination Levels
The contamination levels in water influence clean up costs of water damage.
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Category 1 or white water originates from a hygienic source
such as a water supply line or melted snow.
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Category 2 or grey water has been exposed to contaminants, such
as rainwater, bath or shower water, discharge from a washing machine or
dishwasher, aquariums, etc.
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Category 3 or black water is highly dangerous and may contain
pathogenic or toxigenic contaminants from sources like sewage, toilet backflows,
seawater, river or lake water, and water containing toxic substances. This
includes all floodwater.