June 1 marks the official beginning of Hurricane Season, which brings a heightened risk of flooding to coastal and inland communities. Many of you may be unaware that your homeowners insurance policy does not cover flooding. You also need to know that most flood insurance policies take 30 days to become effective.
In past seasons, storms have begun as early as June and have severely impacted not only coastal communities but those located hundreds or even thousands of miles inland as well. Damage occurred as far north as New York in the case of Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and through much of the Midwest and into Pennsylvania due to Hurricane Ike in 2008. Flood insurance may be more affordable than you think—the average flood insurance policy is around $600 a year, and in moderate- to low- risk areas, homeowners may qualify for a low-cost Preferred Risk Policy (PRP), which starts at just $129 a year.
Stay tuned for more valuable flood insurance information to follow. As always, you can call us at 813-712-4117 for further information.