Your homeowners insurance policy covers a lot of ground, but flooding is not among them. That gap matters, because flooding is one of the most common and costly natural disasters in the country. It can happen anywhere, not just in designated flood zones. If water enters your home from rising rivers, heavy rainfall or overwhelmed storm drains, you will likely be left covering those losses on your own without a separate flood policy.

What Flood Insurance Actually Covers

A flood insurance policy can financially protect two things: your home’s structure and your personal belongings. It can include the following:

• The foundation, walls, floors and built-in appliances
• Electrical and plumbing systems
• Furniture, clothing, electronics and other personal property
• Detached garages used for parking or storage (coverage is typically limited and may reduce your overall building coverage limit, depending on your policy)

Coverage limits and terms vary by policy, so reviewing the details with your agent is worth the time.

Situations Where Flood Insurance Pays Off

Consider a neighborhood that has never flooded before. After an unusually heavy storm season, water backs up through the drainage system and seeps into basements throughout the area. Homeowners without flood coverage face repair costs entirely out of pocket. Those with coverage file a claim.

Flooding tied to hurricanes, snowmelt, and saturated ground can affect properties in low-risk zones just as it can in high-risk areas. The risk does not announce itself in advance.

When to Get Coverage

Most flood insurance policies carry a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect, so waiting until a storm is forecast is too late. The time to get a policy in place is before you need it.

Contact Dave Millet Insurance Agency to review your current coverage and find out whether a flood policy makes sense for your home. We proudly serve Metairie, LA and beyond.