Many Homeowners Are Unaware All Homes Have Some Flood Risk

FEMA and the Insurance Information Institute are Urging All Homeowners to Consider Flood Insurance

People who live near the coast or next to a stream are not the only homeowners threatened by floods during a hurricane. FEMA and the Insurance Information Institute say those who live further inland should be concerned too because wind and rain from hurricanes can cause massive inland flooding.

In fact, 25% of flood losses occur to homeowners with low flood risk. Most of these floods are the result of runoff during a heavy downpour. Often there is no place for the water to go, the rain falls too fast for the ground to absorb or the ground is too dry. Just a few inches of water in the basement can cause $8-10,000 in damage.

Unfortunately, many homeowners mistakenly think floods are covered under their homeowners, but to be covered for flooding, you need a policy from the National Flood Insurance Program. This policy can be purchased through your insurance agent.

If you would like to get an idea of how much a policy would cost and what your home's flood risk is, visit the National Flood Insurance Program site at www.floodsmart.gov

Produced for Insurance Information Institute