Southern Insurance Group specializes in writing flood insurance in Clermont so give us a call today for your personalized quote today!  Many people feel that flood Insurance is for homes that are located near the coast or by large lakes or rivers. Nothing can be further from the truth!

“To Flood Or Not To Flood That's the Question”

Just because you don't live right next to a pond, lake river or a body of water in general doesn't mean that your home is not prone to flooding. If you have lived in Florida for any length of time you know that we have very unusual weather patterns that can cause torrential downpours. you may have clear skies in the morning but then by afternoon the hot Florida sun will cause moisture to gather in the clouds and then the rain starts coming down in sheets.

I've seen some unusual flooding circumstances from water building up and eventually entering one of my clients homes. When I was growing up my house was on a slight decline form the beginning of the driveway to the front door of the house. During the rainy season of the year a storm let loose and a heavy rain came pounding down for hours. As a result the water came rushing towards our front door of our home like a river. Before we know it water started coming inside the house and we started to panic. We ended up spending the next few hours putting things in front of the front door to divert the water away for the front door.

Were we in a flood zone, no but our home was almost flooded out if we didn't act quickly. We didn't have expensive wood floors or anything but if we did the water that did come in would have most likely cause some of the wood to warp. As with any kind of insurance, you'll never know when something is about to happen so having a Clermont flood insurance policy in place is a must. 

Another exposure that people don't really think about are retention areas or ponds in a subdivision. When these same kinds of rains occur these retention ponds can fill up quickly to capacity. When this takes place, then the water has nowhere else to go but out which is where the homes closest to the pond are at risk. In the past 24 years, I have had quite a few people have water claims from this occurring. Unfortunately, every single person had no flood insurance, but they all ironically called the office to find out if this was covered under their homeowner insurance, which it isn't. 

If your pipes break inside your home or if there is a leak in general somewhere, a standard homeowner policy will cover this exposure. This is different than rising water seeping into the home from an outside source. From the flooding that took place from hurricane Katrina, thousands of people were pleading ignorance saying they didn't realize that flood was not part of their homeowner policy. Matter of fact people grouped together to pursue a class action lawsuit to no avail. Now as a result, when you sign up for a homeowner insurance policy, you will sign a disclosure that states your homeowner policy does not cover flood and that flood coverage will need to be obtained from a separate flood policy.          

Extreme weather can and will happen. Floods and flash floods can occur all over the state. Hurricanes are the most severe natural events that will drive destructive flood waters into your home, but they are far from the only danger. Torrential rains, clogged sewer drains, soaked grounds and snow melt will contribute to catastrophic flood emergencies.

There have been several “Federal Emergency Declarations” in the past several years, from tropical depressions, to severe hurricanes. We will probably never see an intense storm like Katrina or Ike (fingers crossed) again, but that does not mean there aren't’t other potential flood dangers facing us here in Florida.

What is the real danger? The danger I’m talking about is not carrying a flood insurance policy. Even one inch of water in your home could cost you thousands of dollars in damages.

Let me be clear on this!

Your homeowner policy will not pay for flood damage.

You will need to purchase a separate policy.

So how does it work?

When you obtain a Clermont flood insurance policy, it is actually run by the US Government as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). They set the rules and the rates and allow several private insurance companies to write the policy on their behalf. The premiums are set by FEMA based on the property location and amount of coverage requested. Properties are located in various “zones” and can be classified as being in a “special flood hazard zone” or in a regular non-hazard zone. Obviously the closer the dwelling is located to a body of water the greater the likelihood that it is in a “special flood hazard area”. Flood insurance premiums are higher if a property is located in a special flood hazard area.

If you are purchasing a home in a flood hazard zone, chances are good that the lending institution supplying your mortgage will require flood insurance, minimum to the amount of the loan. People paying cash for their home are not required to obtain flood insurance but we would strongly recommend it.

Homes not near the water will likely be considered to be not in a flood hazard area. These properties can still purchase flood insurance at surprisingly inexpensive rates. In many instances a preferred policy is available for under $400.

All municipalities in both Florida maintain flood maps and can tell you which flood “zone” your property is located in. Homes located in special flood hazard zones may be eligible for significant discounts based on the finished elevation of the dwelling and the type of foundation. In short, the higher the elevations of the structure off the ground, the less likely the chance of flood damage and the lower the insurance rate.

We can review the “flood zone” in which your home is located, determine the structure and foundation type and review some coverage options and deductibles with you. Each of the members of our protection team are well versed in giving you the best coverage possible at the least expensive price.

I hope that the information provided here has helped you to gain a greater understanding of flood insurance and how important it is. We routinely talk to our customers and friends about this subject and the changes that continue to occur on the federal level. We are passionate about this subject because of all the situations we have seen during our long experience working here in the Gulf Coast region. The various named hurricanes and tropical depressions that have hit us over the years have all done considerable damage to many homes, businesses and other properties in our communities. That's why it is so important to us that you have the best protection possible.

The good news is that this product is easily available and the trained professionals at Southern Insurance Group can make it affordable for you!  Check out the flood Insurance Quotes section on our website today to find out more and obtain a hassle-free quote from our Flood Insurance Experts.