Understanding Flood Zones: What Homeowners Need to Know

Navigating the world of flood insurance can be daunting, especially when it comes to understanding flood zones. At BES & Associates Insurance, we proudly provide flood insurance to residents in the greater Walford, MD, area; we’re here to guide you through the essentials and help protect your home.

Understanding Flood Zones

Flood zones are geographic areas defined by the likelihood of flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) categorizes these zones based on risk levels, ranging from low to high. Knowing your zone is crucial for determining the need for flood insurance and potential costs.

The Importance of Flood Zones

Understanding your flood zone helps you make informed decisions about insurance coverage. High-risk areas, known as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), often require mandatory flood insurance if you have a federally backed mortgage. Even in low-risk zones, flooding can occur, so considering coverage is wise.

Determining Your Flood Zone

FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center can help you find your flood zone. Enter your address, and the tool will show your zone and risk level. At BES & Associates Insurance, we can assist you in interpreting these maps and understanding their implications.

Preparing for the Unexpected

While knowing your flood zone is a great start, preparedness is key. Consider flood-proofing measures such as elevating utilities and installing sump pumps. Regularly review your insurance policy to ensure it meets your needs as circumstances change.

Expert Help With Flood Insurance

Flood insurance can be complex, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Contact BES & Associates Insurance, serving the greater Walford, MD vicinity, for personalized advice and coverage options tailored to your situation. We’re here to help you safeguard your home against the unexpected.

The Advantage of Having Flood Insurance

Flood insurance covers more than the damage to your home’s structure and outside property. Unfortunately, the wording of most homeowner’s insurance policies fails to include coverage for water damage to the home’s interior following a flood. BES & Associates Insurance of Walford, MD, can offer insight into how flood insurance is a wise financial advantage. 

Why Flood Insurance is Important

Without flood insurance, homeowners would be in financial ruin after paying for repairs following a flood in their residence. The value of the home will diminish. Your next move is beginning a renovation project that includes mold removal, which should regain some of the home’s market value. Expect the cost to move into the six-figure range. Flood insurance reduces the need for expensive renovation projects. 

The National Flood Insurance Program

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to help subsidize recovery costs for homeowners with property damage following a flood. The federal government designed this program for areas susceptible to heavy flooding each year. Those homeowners who participate are guaranteed access to federal relief programs after their region has been declared a national disaster area.

Flood Insurance Required in Federal-Funded Home Mortgage Loans

All federally funded home mortgage loans require flood insurance to be a part of the final paperwork. Often, the coverage is verified before the loan is approved. All borrowers must have flood insurance coverage until the home mortgage loan is paid. The coverage will offset the cost of the damage that occurred following a heavy rainstorm that caused flooding. The federal requirement reduces more financial risk following purchasing a home.

If you need more information on flood insurance, contact BES & Associates Insurance of Walford, MD. Our staff have the knowledge and experience to create a policy that protects your home from disaster. The coverage will reflect your insurance needs. Call and schedule an appointment today!

Why Everyone Needs Flood Insurance

When it comes to floods, many people don’t think much about them until they happen. That’s often when people find out that their home insurance doesn’t cover them against floods. This can be a terrible realization when people are left with all of the bills for the repairs needed. To avoid that situation, it’s important for all homeowners to have flood insurance. To get your coverage, call us at BES & Associates Insurance in Walford, MD. 

Flooding and Flood Zones

Flooding is most prevalent in areas that have been designated as flood zones. These often come with a rating for how many years average in between floods. Those who own homes within those zones are generally required to have flood insurance. If you live in a flood zone, you should never be without it. However, if you don’t live in a flood zone, you still need to have this insurance. Among all of the claims that come in for flood damage, about 20% of them are from non-flood areas that aren’t in a zone. There are many weather events that can cause this, and it can be extremely destructive to homes. 

The National Flood Insurance Program

This is a national program backed by the government that offers flood insurance. It’s guaranteed to cover your flood damage because of that backing and support. The program makes flood insurance available across the country, and it sets a flat price for the insurance. No matter where you get the coverage, the price will be that same set amount. If you don’t have this coverage, you run the risk of flood damage that will be hard to pay for. 

Get Your Flood Policy

Don’t be without this important insurance coverage. Call us at BES & Associates Insurance in Walford, MD to find out more. 

How Flood Insurance Works

If you own a home, it’s always important to have flood insurance. Flood insurance protects you against the extreme amount of damage that a flood can do to a home. A flood can be devastating to any property it touches. It can ruin the building as well as all of the items that are inside it. If you don’t have flood insurance, it’s time to get it. When you want to know more about flood insurance or want to get started, call us at BES & Associates Insurance in Walford, MD. 

The National Flood Insurance Program

When you want flood insurance, those policies are backed and supported by the National Flood Insurance Program. This is a federal program that guarantees insurance and pays out in the event of a flood. Because it’s backed by this program, flood insurance will have the same price no matter where you get it. That makes it easy to get this insurance because you don’t have to shop around for it. 

Floods and Home Insurance

It’s common for people not to get flood insurance because they assume that their home insurance covers flooding. However, it doesn’t. If you only have a home policy and not a flood policy and a flood were to occur, none of the damage would be covered. With flood insurance, both the damage to the home and the loss of belongings would be covered by the policy. It’s never a good idea to go without this type of policy with the prevalence of flooding. Even if your area isn’t designated as a flood zone, a flood can still occur. 

Get Flood Insurance

When you don’t have flood coverage, it’s time to call us and find out more about these policies. Call us now at BES & Associates Insurance in Walford, MD.