Flood Insurance

Flood Insurance in Florida

Call an Agent today to discuss your Flood Insurance needs.

Losses due to flooding are not typically covered under most homeowners policies, so it may be wise to consider adding a PTI Flood Insurance policy for complete protection.

 

Why Consider Florida Flood Insurance?

Floods are the top natural disaster in the United States. You don’t need to live near a lake or coast to experience a flood. In fact, 25 percent of flood losses come from low- to moderate-risk areas in Florida.

What’s more, only one inch of water in your home can cause $25,000 or more in damage. (source: FloridaDisaster.Org)

That’s why it’s important to protect your home and valuables with Flood Insurance.

Don’t delay: Flood Insurance requires a 30-day waiting period on most new policies.

Call 561-417-1111 to contact an Agent about PTI Flood Insurance, a direct flood insurance provider through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Common Questions About Florida Flood Insurance

Q: Doesn’t my homeowners insurance policy cover flooding?

No. Flood damage is not typically covered by a homeowners insurance policy.

Q: What is covered by flood insurance?

A flood insurance policy is intended to cover physical damage to your building or personal property “directly” caused by a flood. Please contact an Agent for more information on what is and isn't covered, or download the attached Summary of Coverage brochure below created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Summary of Coverage (English)     Summary of Coverage (Spanish)

Q: I live in a low-risk flood zone. Do I really need flood insurance?

Most likely, yes. It’s a good idea to buy flood insurance even if you live in a moderate-to-low-risk area. About 25 percent of all flood insurance claims come from areas with low-to-moderate flood risk.

Our PTI Flood Insurance Agents can provide information about the flood risk specific to your property, or you can use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center to determine the flood risk in different areas.

Q: Why do I need flood insurance, even though my community has never been flooded?

It's always advisable to have flood insurance as floods can happen irrespective of whether you're in a high or low-risk area. In Florida, flooding is a significant hazard due to the state's frequent storms and proximity to water bodies, both inland and on the coast. It's important to note that over 20% of flood claims come from properties outside high-risk areas.

Q: Why does my mortgage lender require me to buy flood insurance?

Under federal law, the purchase of flood insurance is mandatory for all federal or federally-related financial assistance for the acquisition and/or construction of buildings in high-risk flood areas (Special Flood Hazard Areas or SFHAs).

The amount of flood insurance coverage required by the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended by the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, is the lesser of the following:

  • The maximum amount of NFIP coverage available for the particular property type,
  • The outstanding principal balance of the loan, or
  • The insurable value of the structure.

If the property is not in a high-risk area but instead in a moderate-to-low-risk area, federal law does not require flood insurance; however, a lender can still require it. It is also recommended since, historically, about one in four flood claims come from these moderate-to-low-risk areas.

Q: Does flood insurance cover flood damage caused by hurricanes, rivers, or tidal waters?

Yes, provided that the flood water covers at least two acres if confined to your property. A general flood condition also exists if two adjacent properties are inundated, one of which is yours.

Q: If my home is flooded, won’t federal disaster assistance pay for my damages?

Not necessarily. Federal disaster assistance typically comes as a low-interest loan to help cover flood damage, not compensation for your losses. Even then, those loans are only available if the President formally declares a disaster and must be repaid along with any existing mortgage.

Q: When will my flood insurance go into effect?

There is typically a 30-day waiting period before a flood insurance policy becomes effective. Planning and purchasing flood insurance well before a major storm is important, rather than waiting until it's too late.

Learn more about PTI Flood Insurance, a direct flood insurance provider through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which provides low-cost, government-supported coverage you can count on in the event of a flood.

Note:The information above was obtained from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). View the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) website at www.fema.gov. Flood facts source: www.floodsmart.gov.