Flood Insurance: Why You Need A Flood Insurance Quote PDF Print E-mail
Written by Tom Addison   
Monday, 18 April 2011 15:53
A high water event is defined by some as an situation where at least two acres of land that is normally not under water is rapidly covered by water. It may also be the result of two or more homes being inundated with a mud or water flow. Flood insurance should be a part of every homeowner's or renter's coverage, since water damage can happen to anyone and even in areas where the event is unusual.
by TomAddison


A high water event is defined by some as an situation where at least two acres of land that is normally not under water is rapidly covered by water. It may also be the result of two or more homes being inundated with a mud or water flow. Flood insurance should be a part of every homeowner's or renter's coverage, since water damage can happen to anyone and even in areas where the event is unusual.

A good place to start is to review the terms of your homeowner's or renters policy. Most of them do not include coverage for this type of risk. Getting a flood insurance quote is particularly important is you live in parts of the country where some high water is expected each year due to heavy spring rains, snow melt or where rivers rise because of a combination of events upstream.

In the U. S. There are risk maps available so that you can determine is your home or community is subject to high risk for water damage. The flood insurance quote is based on the level of risk. If you live in an area that has frozen lakes with winter ice which breaks up in the springs, you may have higher risk than if your location has water engineering control projects. A search of the Internet will reveal risk maps.

Wildfires are another reason why some areas have high water risk. When there is a fire that removes brush and trees from the land, the water runs off rather than soaking in. This can cause high moving water episodes as well as mudslides.

The states of Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho and Nevada are particularly subject to this condition. It can last for several seasons until the vegetation returns. Many states have regular fire episodes.

You can obtain flood insurance from companies that typically specialize in such coverage. You might also contact your homeowner's policy carrier to add a rider. Regular review of the terms in your policy will help to prevent the financial disaster associated with a freak water rise.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.