Top 10 Flood Facts You Need to Know

Did you know that every state in the U.S. experienced some type of flooding or flash flood within the past five years? I didn't!

It just goes to show that even homeowners who do not live near a body of water can be exposed to costly and dangerous flood risks. Even where it's least expected, a heavy rain, severe thunderstorm, or snow melting from the mountaintops hundreds of miles away can be enough to make flood waters rise. With that, many people are under the impression that insurance for flooding is included in their standard homeowner's policy; however, unless a homeowner has purchased separate coverage or added it to their existing policy, flood damages are likely not covered.

Here are some more interesting flood facts that might take you by surprise - and if they do, imagine how surprising and valuable these facts may be to a current or prospective client!

Top 10 Flood Facts 2015

  • Floods are the #1 natural disaster in the United States
  • People outside of mapped high-risk flood areas receive 1/3 of Federal Disaster Assistance for flooding
  • A car can easily be carried away by just two feet of rushing water
  • Flash floods often bring walls of water 10 to 15 feet high
  • In high-risk areas, there is at least a 1 in 4 chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage, and it's more likely that a home in a high-risk area will be damaged by a flood than a fire
  • Most homeowner's insurance does not cover flood damage
  • Hurricanes, winter storms and snowmelt are common - but often overlooked - causes of flooding
  • In most cases, it takes 30 days after purchase for a flood insurance policy to take effect - making it crucial to apply for coverage well before the next flood season approaches
  • New land development can increase flood risk, especially if the construction changes natural runoff paths
  • From 2005 to 2014, total flood insurance claims averaged more than $3.5 billion per year

Cheryl Gleason
J.M. Wilson

Summer Storm Preparation

It’s been a long winter here in Michigan, one of the coldest in many years. With temperatures greater than 20 degrees below zero multiple times, it seemed it would never end. I woke up this morning to the sound of crashing thunder; quite the...

Top 10 Myths of Auto and Home Insurance

A new survey of 2,000 adults, asking whether 10 insurance related statements were true or false, revealed some interesting insights into common insurance misunderstandings. The Insure.com survey, which all the questions asked were false, found...

Dog Bite Claims, How Does Michigan Rank?

One question we ask on every home insurance fact finder is "are there any dogs or exotic pets?" The exotic pet question is obvious, after all a 20 foot python has a higher risk exposure than fluffy the kitty. But why ask about dogs? Aunt...

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - The Silent Killer

It’s that time of year when we give gifts and want to help our loved ones to live happier lives. You may have a family member that is impossible to buy for. You know Uncle Charlie, the one you re-gift most of the time. We’ve got a better...

Have A Snow Removal Contractor? Get The Cert!

Often times our clients will ask us how they can be sure their contractors are properly insured. Our answer - “Get the cert!” (short for insurance certificate) As a business owner you have the right insurance in place to cover your...

Why Smart People Have the Right Coverage

The Intelligence of Insurance It’s been said many times in many different ways for those aspiring to be wealthy; “Go where the money is” or “Find out what the wealthy are doing, and then go do it”.  Why do...

Winter Car Survival Tips

Do you remember last winter in Atlanta GA when the 2 inches of snow hit the ground and it turned into chaos? I remember being at the gym and seeing the images on  TV of people abandoning their vehicles. My initial thought was, “good grief...

Top 5 Winter Home Prep Tips

Have you ever noticed your car’s windshield wipers never break on sunny days? Hmmm…. The same seems to be true with our homes. Rarely do the pipes burst in June, I’m pretty certain ice dams in the gutters never occur in July, and...
Page: 12 - All