Flood insurance is an important type of coverage that will be offered separately from your home insurance policy. For this reason, you must carefully evaluate your location’s propensity to flood, and Zenith Insurance Group can help you with this determination.
How Do I Know if I Need Flood Insurance?
Pinellas County homeowners are not required by law to obtain flood insurance, but a mortgage lender will compel you to purchase this protection if you live in a moderate to a high-risk area, especially if they are backed by the government.
FEMA produces a flood map that will show you the topography of your area and is updated every few years to keep up with changes in climate, new housing developments, and differences in the landscape.
This resource has data on the projected frequency of flooding, its severity, and potential elevations. Historical flooding is very important information to consider, as even a small chance of flooding can prove significant when that event is typically catastrophic.
Identifying flood planes is vital, as this isn’t always obvious just from visual observation. You may live in a low-lying region that is prone to wet weather streams, or you may be at the bottom of a hill on a city street that does not have adequate drainage.
There may be culverts and ditches that overflow onto your property during heavy rains, or you may live near a river or stream. Gullies can fill past capacity, creating dangerous conditions that lead to flash flooding.
Put Zenith Insurance Group to Work for You
Pinellas County residents can count on us to meet their insurance needs, and we will do everything possible to properly insure you. Reach out to us by phone, send us an email, or stop at our office, and we can discuss your situation in more detail.
