How to get flood insurance

Getting flood insurance is the easy part. Home owners can purchase coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program, so long as their communities participate. (Most communities do.) The program, part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will insure homes no matter the risk of flooding, though premiums will vary accordingly.
 
Homes located in the highest-risk areas, known as Special Flood Hazard Areas, may even be required by lenders to carry flood insurance, especially when the home is financed with a federally insured mortgage. Homes in Special Flood Hazard Areas have a 26% chance of experiencing flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage.
 
Flood policies through this federal program are purchased from traditional insurance companies. Call NFIP at 1-888-379-9531 for a referral. The maximum coverage limit is $250,000 for damage to the building and an additional $100,000 for damage to the contents. The annual premium for a residential policy that covers contents only in a low-risk area can run as little as $39; the cost can approach $6,000 to cover the building and contents of a home in a high-risk coastal area.

Basement caveats

Items in your basement aren’t all covered. Building policies cover the structure (drywall, ceiling tiles) and contents policies cover your furnace and appliances in the basement. But neither covers home finishes (paneling, carpet) or personal possessions (clothing, artwork).

Weigh cost of flood insurance vs. benefits

Start by assessing your home’s risk of flooding, says Etti Baranoff, associate professor of risk, insurance, and finance at Virginia Commonwealth University. Has your neighborhood flooded in the past? Homeowners can view FEMA flood maps online.

Once you have a good handle on your risk profile, consider the potential loss you would sustain in case of a flood, says Baranoff. The average flood claim is $33,000, according to NFIP, but even an inch of water can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to a home and its contents.

Damage done by an inch of floodwater

Replace carpet, flooring $2,700
New baseboard molding $2,250
Replace drywall $1,350
Cleanup, materials $1,000
Bookshelves, lamps $500
Total $7,800

Source: National Flood Insurance Program

“Look how many people buy the insurance coverage on their cellular phones…when it’s a major catastrophe that can really cost you,” Baranoff says. “If you’re the type of person who buys the cellular phone insurance, you want to be sure you’re acting within your risk tolerance.”
 
To get an idea of your liability, take a day to create a home inventory of your possessions, as well as estimate the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home. You might even find that the NFIP policy limits are inadequate. If so, check with your agent about rates for private flood insurance.

Additional flood resources for home owners

Uncle Sam offers other assistance to home owners who may become victims of flooding, in addition to flood insurance. Take taxes, for instance. The IRS will give some flood victims extra time to file returns, and it may be possible to take tax deductions for flood losses. Read IRS Publication 547, “Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts.”
 
If flooded homes are located in declared federal disaster areas, home owners may be eligible for low-interest loans through the Small Business Administration. (You don’t need to own a small business to qualify.) It’s possible to get up to $40,000 to replace or repair clothing, furniture, cars, or appliances, and up to $200,000 to repair or replace primary residences to pre-flood condition.
 
One quirk to keep in mind when it comes to SBA assistance: In high-risk areas, aid may be contingent upon a home owner already having flood insurance. Because of this, SBA assistance shouldn’t be construed as a fool-proof safety net.
 
Gwen Moran has been writing about business, finance, and real estate for more than a decade. Her work has been published by Entrepreneur, Newsweek.com, Financial Planning, and The Residential Specialist. A Jersey Shore resident, she has weathered hurricanes, Nor’easters, and even one small earthquake.