Choosing the right coverage on your Florida homeowners insurance policy is one of the most important decisions you will make as a homeowner. Determining the coverage that your unique property needs can be overwhelming if you aren't well versed in the technical language associated with insurance policies. No need to worry, we will break it down in an easy to understand format for you. Our goal is to empower you to understand the insurance industries lingo so that you can ask detailed questions and make informed decisions.
Covered storm damage perils in Florida typically include: fire or lightning, windstorm or hail, smoke, and explosions. Flood damage is almost never included in your basic Florida homeowners policy. In Florida, flood insurance is considered additional coverage. Depending on where you live, flood insurance may or may not be required by your mortgage company. Homes and businesses with government-backed mortgages in high risk flood zones require flood insurance policies. If you own you home outright, your insurance agent may still recommend additional flood insurance coverage.
One easy way to determine whether your home requires flood insurance is to find out if your home is in a flood zone. Depending on which zone your property falls under, you will need to understand more about the risks of possible flooding in your area. According to FEMA one in three insurance claims come from moderate to low risk flood zones.
Flood Zone designations include:
Zones A or V - high-risk
Zones B, C, or X - moderate- to low-risk
If your home resides in zones A or V, the likelihood is high that your dwelling will be affected by flooding at some point. Your insurance company should discuss this with you. Your mortgage company will most likely require you carry additional flood insurance. Outside of that, the choice is yours, but the statistics show that moderate to low risk doesn't mean no risk! The goal of homeowners insurance is to mitigate the chance that you have no monetary protection in the event your home is damaged by catastrophic events. Working with your insurance agent to secure the best insurance policy against ALL types of property damage is advised.
If you have suffered from flood damage on your Florida property and your property damage insurance claim was denied because you didn't carry flood insurance, you may be out of luck. However, if you have flood coverage on your property damage insurance claim and it was still denied, allowing an attorney to review your claim is something to consider. Knowing your rights as a homeowner when moving through the property damage insurance claim process is paramount.
Max Factor Law has over 25 years of experience with property damage insurance claims in Florida. We will review your property damage insurance claim at no-cost to you to determine if you have been treated fairly, and legally, by your insurance company. Contact us today to schedule your property damage insurance claim consultation at 850-577-1699.
For more helpful information on flood insurance please visit FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program website.