Why do I need flood insurance? I don’t live near water.
People who live near water are not the only ones who experience flooding. Floods move, and can spread for miles. They can have strong currents that, in a few moments, can sweep away everything, leaving a thick residue of mud and debris behind. In some areas there can also be a considerable amount of ground water flooding and ponding that comes about when the ground becomes super saturated with water and has no place to go. Homes, even those on high ground, may be many miles from a river, lake, or other body of water, and still have damage because of groundwater flooding or ponding.
It’s not just the high-risk areas that are flooded. Between 20 and 25 percent of flood insurance claims come from a medium or low flood-risk areas.
Doesn’t my homeowners insurance cover flood damage?
Typically, homeowners insurance policies do not cover such things as flooding, landslides, and earthquakes. A special policy or rider is needed to cover damage from these as well as other special hazards. Check with your insurance agent to find out what is and is not covered in your homeowners policy.
