Protection from Flood Waters – Flood Insurance
The Pacific Northwest is a beautiful, rainy place with beautiful forests and fertile soil, but the rains can also bring floods. Even if you’re not in a frequent flood zone, having a flood insurance policy is a smart plan to cover you in case a bad flood occurs.
Even those who weren’t in a flood zone suffered after a storm in early January, which caused flooding across highways and damage across the state.
Many homeowners assume their home insurance policy will cover them if there’s a flood. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Flood insurance requires an entirely separate policy.
Contact your Cross Insurance agent to see what your home insurance covers and how you can get a flood insurance policy!
If you’re on the fence about getting a flood insurance policy, consider these facts from floodsmart.gov:
- Floods are the nation’s #1 natural disaster, and flood claims occur in every state in our country.
- People without flood insurance have to resort to taxpayer-funded federal disaster assistance, low-interest loans, tax write-offs, or savings to help them recover.
- The average flood claim cost exceeding $31,000.
Just because your property isn’t near a body of water doesn’t mean you’ll never encounter a flood. Heavy rains can overwhelm drainage systems, run-off can seep into your basements, and levees can fail, all resulting in a flood.
Of course, only you can decide whether having flood insurance is right for you, but having flood insurance is a great way to breathe easy when a bad storm blows through.
Flood insurance primarily covers two things: your building and its contents.
Building Coverage protects your home, including its foundation, electrical system, plumbing, central air, appliances, flooring, and more.
Contents Coverage covers the insured’s possessions, including clothing, furniture, electronics, portable appliances, and more.
Other things to keep in mind with flood insurance
Fire & water can create floods
Do you have property located in an area that recently had wildfires? If there aren’t any trees to absorb the excess runoff, you are at a higher risk of experiencing a flood.
Flood insurance and sewer backup insurance aren’t the same
Insurance defines floods as surface water that enters your home from the outside – not to be confused with a leaky roof or plumbing-related issue (such as broken pipes).
Sewer backup is another issue. It may or may not be covered depending on what caused it to occur.
Read more about sewer and service line coverage here:
If you’re considering purchasing flood insurance, Cross Insurance Agency can help! We can help you find the best flood policy for your unique situation. Our agency is independent, which means our licensed agents can go through numerous options before setting on the best insurance policy for you.
Other insurance companies promise great customer service until it’s actually time to deliver. Cross Insurance Agency makes you feel like family because to us, you’re our neighbor and friend.
We live in the Pacific Northwest just like you, so we know what kind of troubles you face, and we want to get you the coverage that fits you best, not just what suits the insurance carriers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Flood Insurance
Here are some common questions answered about flood insurance to help you decide if this coverage is right for you:
Is flood insurance required – why should I get it?
Normally, no, it’s not required. However, if you live in a high flood-prone area, your mortgage carrier may require it.
But even if it’s not required, flood insurance may help you save thousands of dollars in expenses. Plus, if you live away from typical flood areas, your premiums can be much more reasonable. Considering the average cost of a flood claim, it isn’t a bad idea to assess your risk.
Get a quote from Cross Insurance Agency today to learn more about flood insurance!
How much does flood insurance cost – is flood insurance expensive?
As with all insurance, prices vary depending on many factors. Those factors can include (but aren’t limited to):
- Value of your home
- Location of your home (is it near a body of water, or even a swamp?)
- The number of floods the area has experienced in the past
- Primary or secondary residences
- Basements
You can use the FEMA Map Service to see if you’re in a flood zone. Then, get a quote from Cross Insurance Agency to get an estimate of what flood insurance will cost you.
What happens if I don’t have flood insurance, but my home is damaged?
You’ll have to pay for the damage yourself. That means you’ll have to pay out of pocket or apply for grants or loans.
Doesn’t FEMA cover my flood damage?
Not necessarily – the President of the United States must declare a FEMA emergency before FEMA can step in. This happens in roughly 50 percent of major floods, but even then, the low-interest loan provided needs to be repaid. So, it’s worth it getting flood insurance to avoid paying huge fees later down the road.
Where can I purchase flood insurance?
Most carriers who offer home insurance will also offer an option for flood insurance. Flood insurance can be purchased easily from your local independent insurance agent – including us.
Here at Cross Insurance Agency, we always strive to be:
- Personable
- Helpful
- Informative
- Friendly
- Caring
- Encouraging
- Easy-to-Understand
Cross Insurance Agency understands what it’s like living in the Pacific Northwest because we live there, too. Get a quote from Cross Insurance Agency today to see why we’re a great choice for flood insurance!
When should I purchase flood insurance?
As always with insurance, it’s best to get it early. Plus, it takes 30 days for the flood policy to go into effect, so don’t purchase just days before a storm. Buy in advance to spare yourself the hassle.
A pipe broke in my house – do I need flood insurance?
A broken pipe is covered by your standard home insurance policy, so you should be covered!
My sewer backed up into my home – do I need flood insurance?
No, unless the sewer backed up because of a flood. You can get separate Water & Sewer Backup coverage for a sewer backup not caused by a flood.
What to do in case of flood damage
- Report your claim as soon as possible.
- Communicate with your insurance adjuster frequently.
- Photograph your damages and save them to the Cloud, not an external hard drive. Your insurance company will likely come out and photograph the damages as well.
- Keep a list of all the items you lost in the flood. Receipts and lists are great to have!
- Read through your policy to ensure you understand your rights and coverage.
If you have questions about flood insurance or Cross Insurance Agency, you can contact us via a phone call, text, or email. You can also use our booking website to schedule a visit.
Or, if you need to manage your policy, you can use our client self-service portal or our mobile app. We’re here for you whenever you need!
Get a Quote
Cross Insurance represents the top-rated insurance companies in Washington. We will compare pricing and coverage options finding you the best policy for your needs. Call us at: 888-438-6708 or click the button to the right to send us a message for your quote.
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2745 Martin Way E #A
Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 438-6708
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