Floods can occur anywhere in the United States, but Florida is one of the areas that are the most vulnerable – especially Fort Myers since it’s on the coast.
Flooding can be caused by a handful of things – heavy rain, storm surges, or river overflow, to name a few. Even if you don’t live in a high flood risk zone, your home could still sustain damage from a flood – and all it takes is a couple of inches of water to do the trick.
Flood Insurance Coverage in Fort Myers
When you buy flood insurance in Fort Myers, here are some factors to consider
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Homeowners’ insurance doesn’t include flood coverage.
While a homeowners policy may include coverage for water damage, that refers to a pipe leak or a hole in the roof or a storm surge. What protects your home in the event of a flood is specific flood coverage.
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You need to identify your flood zone.
FEMA has created a geographic map of flood risk levels called flood zones. In Florida, everyone has some degree of risk, but you’ll need to figure out whether that risk is low, moderate, or high.
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You might be required to get flood insurance coverage.
Depending on where you live, it might be mandatory to be covered by flood insurance. If you live in a high-risk area, your mortgage lender might require you to do so.
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Low-risk areas will pay less for flood insurance.
Heavy rainfall can occur anywhere in Florida, and we know that it does. So, even if you’re located in a low-risk zone, you should still be covered by flood insurance – and your location will most likely allow you to pay a lower premium.
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What flood insurance covers.
You can purchase building coverage and contents coverage flood insurance, but they come with separate deductibles. Building property coverage entails items such as:
- The physical structure of your home/its foundation
- Plumbing and electrical systems
- Central air and heating systems
- Refrigerators
- Cooking stoves
- Built-in appliances
- Cabinets/paneling
- Window blinds
- Detached garage
Personal contents coverage entails items such as:
- Clothing
- Furniture
- Electronics
- Curtains
- Some portable appliances
- Freezers (and the food inside)
- Certain valuables (up to a certain limit)
Get Protected with Chapmans’ Flood Insurance Coverage
Having flood insurance in Fort Myers is the smart thing to do. To learn about your options regarding coverage, get in touch with Chapman Insurance Group today for a free quote.
