Whether your home is on the coastline or in a landlocked neighborhood, floods can be catastrophic and costly. Because of this risk and homeowners insurance not including coverage for flood damage, flood insurance is an essential commodity for many homeowners. But how can you know if a flood policy is right for you? To help you decide, here are some of the most important things to know about flood insurance:
Mortgage lenders often require flood insurance for buying a home. This is especially common in areas with higher flood risk, but may be a requirement in other circumstances. The best way to know if you'll need flood insurance to get a mortgage for purchasing or refinancing is to find out if you're in an official flood zone as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and discuss it with your lender.
If flood insurance isn't required where you live, you may still want to consider the investment. However, it's safest to discuss flood coverage with your insurance provider before you need it. Many policies have a 30-day waiting period before the coverage takes effect. This means that buying a last-minute policy right before an oncoming storm might not protect your home.
According to FEMA, more than 20% of all claims made through the National Flood Insurance Program were from residents outside flood zones. Researching local flood history is extremely helpful when buying a new home, as it can help you determine your risk and budget for additional coverage. Living outside an official flood zone doesn't guarantee you won't experience a flood; however, it can mean lower insurance rates.
While not required everywhere, flood insurance can provide excellent relief in the event your home or belongings are damaged by a flood. Keep these key factors in mind and consult with an insurance professional to determine the best choice for your situation.
After a short stint as a litigation attorney, Femion joined Buyers Brokers Only, LLC in May 2009. His approach of not selling his clients on a particular property but, instead, helping them make educated decisions has resulted in a growing customer base, including repeat clients and an extensive network of referrals. Femion works diligently to help his clients get the property they want under the best possible terms while making the property-buying process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Femion had a stellar 2021, helping dozens of clients reach their real estate goals. Individually, Femion exceeded $52 million in gross sales while maintaining his clients' exemplary reviews, making him the number one exclusive buyer broker in the country.
Attorney Michael Lord has recently joined Femion to form The Mezini Team. Together, the team will expand coverage of the Greater Boston real estate markets, decrease response time to client inquiries, and provide an overall more efficient service for their clients. Their team will work tirelessly to maintain the level of customer service that has made Femion the top exclusive buyer agent.
