Nearly 20% of flood insurance claims come from moderate-to-lo risk areas.

What is a flood, what is covered?

One of the most common misunderstanding is that your homeowner’s policy will cover damage done by a flood. Another misconception surrounds what flooding actually is. The NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) defines flooding as “any overflow of inland or tidal waters; the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface water from any source; mudflow; and the collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood as define above.” Phew, easy for you say and understand? Basically anywhere it rains, it can flood.

A flood is a general and temporary condition where two or more acres of normally dry land or two or more properties are inundated by water or mudflow. Many conditions can result in a flood: hurricanes, overtopped levees, outdated or clogged drainage systems and rapid accumulation of rainfall.

Just because you haven’t experienced a flood in the past, does not mean you will not in the future. The risk of flooding is not just based on flood history; it’s also based on:

• rainfall
• river-flow
• tidal-surge data
• topography
• flood-control measures
• changes due to building and development

So how do you find out which degree of risk your community has for flooding?

The NFIP has developed flood-hazard maps. These maps have been created to show the flood zone your community is, which helps determine the cost of flood insurance to you. Obviously the lower the degree of risk, the lower the flood insurance premium.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact The Weimer Group today and we will get you on the path to flood protection with an affordable and comprehensive PA insurance policy. For more information on this topic, please visit our virtual insurance agency, call us at 88.304.6678, or visit one of our convenient locations in Perkasie, Bucks County or Harleysville, Montgomery County PA.