| Hurricane season is just around the corner, which | | | | protection. |
| means greater potential for flooding and/or flood | | | | What types of flood insurance are available? |
| damage to your home. It doesn't matter where you | | | | Flood insurance is available through two different |
| live, flooding can occur almost anywhere. If you live | | | | avenues - the sump pump failure/sewer backup |
| along the coast or near a body of water, particularly, | | | | endorsement and The National Flood Insurance |
| protection against and preparation for this type of | | | | Program. |
| disaster is necessary to ensure your finances are | | | | The sump pump failure backup endorsement does not |
| protected. Have you purchased flood insurance? | | | | cover true flooding - it simply covers water seepage |
| The Federal Emergency Management Agency | | | | and runoff. While coverage will vary with each |
| (FEMA) reports that flooding is America's #1 natural | | | | insurance company, keep in mind that this coverage |
| disaster. From snow melts and flash flooding to tropical | | | | only takes effect if you have a sump pump and only if |
| storms and dams that have reached capacity, the | | | | it does not properly take care of the seeping water. |
| potential for flooding should always be considered, | | | | FEMA established the National Flood Insurance |
| regardless of where your home is located. | | | | Program (NFIP) in 1968. This program only has one |
| With hurricane season less than a month away, its | | | | requirement - that you live in a community that |
| prime time to be considering flood insurance. Why | | | | participates in the program. This coverage is available |
| should you purchase flood coverage? Well, the | | | | in two packages -Emergency program and the |
| important fact to be aware of is that homeowner's | | | | Regular program. The programs' distinctions are quite |
| insurance policies do not cover flood damage or | | | | simple. The Emergency program is set up for houses |
| ground water damage from heavy rain. So, even if | | | | in communities that have applied for, but have not yet |
| you've purchased a significant amount of | | | | been accepted into the NFIA. The Regular program is |
| homeowner's insurance and your area experiences | | | | for homes that are in participating NFIA communities. |
| heavy flash flooding, damage to your dwelling will not | | | | Neither the sump pump backup endorsement nor the |
| be covered unless you have purchased flood | | | | NFIA completely cover the risk of flooding. |
| insurance. | | | | So what should you do? |
| Aside from purchasing insurance... | | | | If you're on the fence about purchasing flood insurance, |
| There are a few things you can do to reduce your | | | | consider your options and your flood potential. If your |
| risk of flooding or experiencing flood damage. The | | | | home floods, can you afford to do without the flood |
| best way to reduce the risk of your home truly being | | | | insurance? While you cannot predict natural disasters, |
| flooded would be to avoid living near a body of water, | | | | catastrophes or accidents, you can secure your |
| including rivers and streams. Living in a house on top of | | | | finances for the future if you prepare for those events. |
| a mountain or large hill could also do the trick. If living up | | | | Continue to check the HometownQuotes article page |
| in the hills isn't for you or if you insist on living near | | | | for articles about related topics. |
| water, however, flood insurance is your best | | | | |