Flood Insurance

kivah · ‎03-11-2010

I live in southern California - not far from the ocean - but not in a flood zone. We're expecting major flooding from El Nino in the next year and wonder if I should buy Flood Insurance, which costs approx. $500. and is highly recommended by the media.

Have u ever experienced major flooding - and did u have flood insurance. I think I'll call my insurance agent tomorrow.

Mama Mia · ‎03-10-2010

We live in Idaho in a no flood zone, about three years ago, maybe two, our town had a deluge that made the national news. At the university the apartments on the lower flors were flooded out, and of course, the guys used whatever to surf. down all the stairs outside. It was hilarious then, but bad later.

Much damage there and the other side of town. In our subdivision the wated flooded the intersection and it came up nearly to the houses. That was enough for us and we were at our insurance agents the next day. They will do all the work for you, at least ours did. Every thing is checked out thoroughly before going to FEMA. Ours was a little over five hundred, depends on what amount you selected for inside etc. I seriously doubt it will ever happen again, but won't take the chance.

You can look into it.

mm

"Cats are like potato chips, you can never have just one".

sunshine45 · ‎03-09-2010

we had a flood quite a while ago and it did some damage, but at that time we did not have flood insurance. after that, we did finally get a policy. we had another flood about a year and a half ago and did file a claim. it was a relief that we had it, but it did not cover as much as we had hoped it would......it was better than having nothing though. we would not be without it now.

i think our payment is around $450 a year.

********************************************
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

Zhills · ‎11-15-2011

Any zone becomes a flood zone when you suddenly get 30 inches of rain!

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

Seriously, do you really think your insurance agent is going to be able to tell you if your home will flood? That's a decision only you can make. If there's any possibility, I'd take the insurance for my peace of mind.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

sissel · ‎08-13-2010

Some of my friends have summer homes near NJ shore, they said you can't buy a house without flood insurance. They are inland ,not a few blocks from the ocean but guess it's a law in that area. They never had a flood but you never know when you may need it.

ValuSkr · ‎03-15-2014

I thought you had to live in a designated flood zone in order to get Federally-subsidized flood insurance. At any rate, please do get the insurance. $500 isn't much for what you get, and I'd rather you be insured than depend on taxpayers if disaster strikes. Thank you.

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

There are a lot of people here who probably know more than I do about insurance. I have insurance agents who keep an eye on my company's insurance and my personal insurance.

About 15 years ago we had lightning hit our house and we couldn't live in it for 5 full months. We have wonderful insurance so they paid for us to live in a hotel that entire time, all of our furniture, etc. We had to eat out every meal and they paid for it (it does get old).

The reason I'm telling this is because we found out that it's important that your insurance says "SAME AS" rather than "LIKE". Since our's said same as, we lived as if we were in our house. The agent said many insurance companies do not provide the same services.

Also, I own developments down in Florida. We've been hit a few times with hurricanes (near Pensacola). I have a business partner that handles all of this (thank goodness) but I learned from her that they break down (insurance does) where the flood water came into the house (water line) and the wind, etc. It's a real pain in the neck.

Insurance is nothing to go on the cheap end to get. Also my agent said some insurance companies will only pay for flood if it is attached or in the house and even then some don't pay like if the washer overflows and ruins the rugs and furniture.

Just be careful when you get insurance. This is totally different but it is about insurance. Most people don't think they have much but if you were to sit down and think about what everything is worth (your house, cars, etc) you'd get a shock.

Everyone in our family has catastrophe insurance (we always called it an umbrella policy). In this world today people will sue you for just about anything. If they win they can make you sell your house (whatever it takes to give them the money awarded them).

Just check into it. It is only a few hundred dollars a year and money well spent.

I'm sorry to stick my nose in but I've had good dealings with insurance only because my agents are smart and earn their money. Otherwise, well I don't like to think about it.

One reason I live in Va is because we don't have a lot of bad things (weather-wise) happen here.

kivah · ‎03-11-2010

My neighbor Louise uses my insurance agent (I recommended him to her) and she purchased Flood Insurance for the first time - because of El Nino. We have the same model house and is paying $500/year. Seeing the flooding all over the world makes me a little nervous. I'll email my agent now. Thx

tedEbear · ‎03-22-2015

@kivah---------Don't know how long you have lived in So.Cal, but back in the late 90's, Watts experienced a snowstorm and then flooding with water as high as 36 inches. Being in a drought can cause major flooding, because the water cannot be absorbed as fast as it used to when CA was a lush land.---------Insurance is a good idea...........................tedEbear