Pennsylvania Flood Insurance
Find the right flood insurance policy for you.
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Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She has covered topics as easy as insuring a car, and as difficult as transparency in healthcare costs.
If you need flood insurance, ask an independent Trusted Choice® member agent for Pennsylvania flood insurance quotes. The local agent has access to hundreds of insurance companies, and can find you the coverage you need at the right price. Contact an agent in your neighborhood today to get great insurance at a price that's right for your budget.
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Who Needs Pennsylvania Flood Insurance?
Flood damage can vary greatly from year to year. It is impossible to know ahead of time when the severe flooding will hit and where. One thing is certain: when extreme flooding events occur, they cause catastrophic damage. If you do not have adequate flood insurance, your home may be at risk.
In fact, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that every homeowner carry flood insurance, regardless of whether or not the home is located in a high-risk flood zone. FEMA notes that all 50 states have experienced flooding over the years. Floods are the most far-reaching natural disaster other than wildfires. Some kind of flooding is responsible for 90% of U.S. natural disasters.
Pennsylvania remapped high-risk flood plains in 2011, and realtors noted that more homeowners are required to buy flood insurance after this change. Even if you don't live in a high-risk flood plain, it is still smart to carry some type of flood coverage. Of course, the high-risk areas, such as homes in low lying areas, homes near water and homes near dams are good candidates for coverage with Pennsylvania flood insurance.
Don't wait to cover your home and it's contents. It typically takes 30 days for flood coverage to take effect. It's a good idea to plan ahead to make sure that you're covered when the next storm warning is in the forecast.
What Does PA Flood Insurance Cover?
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was instituted by Congress in 1968 to provide flood insurance for homeowners, renters and businesses. FEMA administers the flood program and partners with 90 private insurance carriers to offer flood insurance to the public. It covers flood damage caused by flash floods, hurricanes, snowmelts, heavy rains, flood accelerated erosion and other nautral causes. The flood program does not cover house flooding caused by pipes that break or leak or sewage backups.
The NFIP estimates that a 2,000 square foot home that is flooded by 12 feet of water will incur over $50,000 of damages. Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover floods, so you will need to get a separate flood insurance policy to be covered when water rises. Similar to a homeowners policy, the flood insurance covers two areas:
- Structural coverage includes buidling damage, foundation damage, electrical or other systems damage, air conditioning units, carpets and other fixtures that are considered part of the building.
- Contents coverage protects furniture, apppliances, clothes, televisions, computers and other personal property in the home.
You can opt to purchase structural coverage only, contents coverage only, or a combination of the two. Ask your Trusted Choice member agent about what options might be best for your situation.
Save on Flood Insurance
Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
How Can I Find Pennsylvania Flood Insurance?
You may never use your Pennsylvania flood insurance. However, if waters rise and your home is threatened, you'll be glad you purchased it. Floods can cause irreparable damage that can make it difficult to recover financially if you do not have proper insurance coverage.
A independent Trusted Choice member agent can help you compare multiple Pennsylvania flood insurance quotes as you search for the best match for your needs. With the help of an experienced insurance professional, you'll have all your questions answered, and you'll have peace of mind knowing everything is well covered in your home. Contact an agent today.