It's officially springtime! The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping and that random pile of clutter is still sitting in the corner of your house. We're not judging, we understand it's easy to get caught up in everyday life and forget about the accumulation of stuff in our homes. Who doesn't love getting their life organized and deep cleaning? Spring is a great time to refresh our lives and get reinvigorated for the upcoming seasons. 

It's also a good time to make sure that your newly cleaned home is protected. The saying "April showers bring May flowers" is cute, but those showers may also pose a flood risk. Flood insurance is very important, especially living in Florida. You might be thinking that your home would never be flooded, but it's much more common than you think. Check out the information below to learn more about the basics of flood insurance and how to protect yourself and your home. 

THE BASICS OF FLOOD INSURANCE

WHAT DOES FLOOD INSURANCE COVER?

Flood insurance is provided by the federal government through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). You can purchase policies that protect your property and your personal belongings, both of which must be purchased separately. 

The maximum coverage limit for your property is $250,000. This typically covers the physical structure of your home and its foundation; plumbing and electrical systems; central air and heating systems; attached bookcases, cabinets and paneling. 

The maximum coverage limit for your personal items is $100,000. This typically covers your clothing, furniture and electronics; curtains; freezers and the foods within them.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED BY FLOOD INSURANCE?

It's equally important to know what's not covered by flood insurance. The following is not typically covered by flood insurance:

• Moisture or mold/mildew damage that "could have been avoided by the homeowner"
• Currency, precious metals, and paper valuables like stock certificates
• Outdoor property such as decks, fences, patios, landscaping, wells and septic systems, and hot tubs and pools
• Living expenses, like temporary housing (if flood damage deems your home uninhabitable)
• Cars and other self-propelled vehicles 

In addition, you'll likely find that flood insurance provides limited, if any, coverage for below-ground rooms like crawl spaces and basements. Some items — like your personal belongings — may not be covered at all when they're kept in below-ground rooms.

 Contact us today to request a free flood insurance quote!