With the heavy rains that have resulted from the storm named Debby, there has been a good deal of flooding in the state of Florida. Because of this recent occurrence, we wanted to remind you of some important facts about flood insurance.
Flood insurance is very important, especially since it only takes a few inches of water to cause severe problems. According to FloodSmart.gov, the average flood claim has been around $48,000 for personal and $85,000 for commercial buildings. Homeowners, renters, condo owners/renters, and commercial owners/renters can all purchase a flood insurance policy to protect the building and its contents (as long as two or more lots are flooded).
Flood insurance only covers damage made when water rises up into a building and damages the building and its contents, not if water enters the home by any other means then the ground. It must be purchased separate from your Florida homeowner’s insurance policy. To see whether or not it would benefit you to purchase this type of policy, find out your flood zone by having a local surveyor complete an elevation certificate, which can cost anywhere from $150-$300 depending on where you live. If you live in a high-risk area, you should definitely purchase a flood insurance policy, though it isn’t mandatory.
Though we cannot control natural disasters, we at Westgate-Jones want to make sure you are well protected through great Florida insurance policies. If you have any questions regarding flood insurance, contact us at 352-787-7548.
Westgate-Jones Insurance Agency ~ 352-787-7548 ~ www.westgatejonesinsurance.com