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.

• The average home insurance claim for water damage is $11,098.
• 98% of basements experience some sort of water damage.
• 14.6 million U.S. homes are at risk of flooding.
• On any given day, home water damage emergencies effect 14,000 people.
• Nationwide, household water damage costs up to $20 billion annually.
• 99% of U.S. counties were impacted by a flooding event between 1996 and 2019.
• Since 2000, flood damage has quadrupled.
• The average flood claim payout from the National Flood Insurance Program is $52,000.
• Flood insurance costs $700 annually.
• One inch of flood water can cause more than $25,000 in damage.
• 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.

• 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).
• Injuries. Aside from the obvious slip-and-fall, water is an excellent conductor of electricity; electrocution can cause permanent bodily damage and death.
• 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.

• Category 1 or white water originates from a hygienic source such as a water supply line or melted snow.
• 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.
• 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.