Flood Insurance Explained in Detail

Just a few inches of water from a flood can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Over the past 10 years, the average flood claim has amounted to over $33,000. Flood insurance is the best way to protect yourself from devastating financial loss.

Flood insurance is available to homeowners, renters, condo owners/renters, and commercial owners/renters. Costs vary depending on how much insurance is purchased, what it covers, and the property's flood risk.

All policy forms provide coverage for buildings and contents. However, you might want to discuss insuring personal property with your agent, since contents coverage is optional. Typically, there's a 30-day waiting period—from date of purchase—before your policy goes into effect. That means now is the best time to buy flood insurance.

Home Flood Insurance

As a homeowner, it's important to insure your home and its contents. Depending on your property location, your home is either considered at high-risk or at moderate-to-low risk for a flood. Your insurance premium will vary accordingly.

Moderate-to-Low Risk
Most homeowners in a moderate-to-low risk area are eligible for coverage at a preferred rate. Preferred Risk Policy premiums are the lowest premiums available through the NFIP, offering building and contents coverage for one low price. In fact, building and contents coverage starts at just $119 per year.

If you don't qualify for a Preferred Risk Policy, a standard rated policy is still available. Even though flood insurance isn't federally required, nearly 25% of all NFIP flood claims occur in moderate-to-low risk areas.

High-Risk
If you live in a high-risk area, a standard rated policy is the only option for you. It offers separate building and contents coverage.

The Dwelling Form provides insurance for buildings with one to four units, including single-family condominium units and townhouses. The General Property Form provides insurance for other- residential and commercial buildings. Both forms provide flood insurance on contents, if you have purchased this optional coverage.

Flood insurance premiums are calculated based on factors such as:

• Year of building construction
• Building occupancy
• Number of floors
• The location of its contents
• Its flood risk (i.e. its flood zone)
• The location of the lowest floor in relation to the elevation requirement on the flood map (in newer buildings only)
• The deductible you choose and the amount of building and contents coverage

If your home is in a high-risk flood area and you have obtained a mortgage through a federally regulated or insured lender, you are required to purchase a flood insurance policy.

Renters Flood Insurance

If you are a tenant, it is wise to insure your contents. The policy premium is based on several factors including the flood risk of the building that you occupy.

Moderate-to-Low Risk
Most renters in moderate-to-low risk areas are eligible for coverage at a preferred rate. Preferred Risk Policy premiums are the lowest premiums available through the NFIP, offering building and contents coverage for one low price. In fact, residential premiums start as low as $39 per year for Contents Only coverage.

If you don't qualify for a Preferred Risk Policy, a standard rated policy is still available. Even though flood insurance isn't federally required, nearly 25% of all NFIP flood claims occur in moderate-to-low risk areas.

High-Risk
If you live in a high-risk area, a standard rated policy is the only option for you. It offers separate building and contents coverage.

Flood insurance premiums are calculated based on factors such as:

• Year of building construction
• Building occupancy
• Number of floors
• The location of its contents
• Its flood risk (i.e. its flood zone)
• The location of the lowest floor in relation to the elevation requirement on the flood map (in newer buildings only)
• The deductible you choose and the amount of coverage

Condo Flood Insurance

If you rent or own your condominium unit, it is a good idea to purchase both building (if you own the unit) and contents coverage. If you are a tenant, contents only coverage is available. The policy premium is based on several factors including the flood risk of the building that you occupy.

Moderate-to-Low Risk
Most condo owners or renters in moderate-to-low risk areas are eligible for coverage at a preferred rate for condominiums in moderate-to-low risk areas. Preferred Risk Policy premiums are the lowest premiums available through the NFIP, offering building and contents coverage for one low price. In fact, residential premiums start as low as $39 per year for Contents Only coverage.

If you don't qualify for a Preferred Risk Policy, a standard rated policy is still available. Even though flood insurance isn't federally required, nearly 25% of all NFIP flood claims occur in moderate-to-low risk areas.

High-Risk
If you live in a high-risk area, a standard rated policy is the only option for you. It offers separate building and contents coverage.

The Residential Condominium Building Association Policy (RCBAP)
This form of the Standard Flood Insurance Policy insures residential condominium associations and thus the building in which your unit is located.

Flood insurance premiums are calculated based on factors such as:

• Year of building construction
• Building occupancy
• Number of floors
• Number of Units
• The location of its contents
• Its flood risk (i.e. its flood zone)
• The location of the lowest floor in relation to the elevation requirement on the flood map (in newer buildings only)
• The deductible you choose and the amount of building and contents coverage

If you own your unit and it is located in a high-risk flood area, you will be required to purchase flood insurance if your lender is federally regulated or insured.