The Atlantic hurricane season has arrived and that means people may need to consider ways to protect themselves. This year’s hurricane season has already been somewhat active, but no devastating storms have yet struck the U.S. This does not mean that the country is safe from such disasters, only that one hasn’t showed up yet. It is impossible to tell when or where a powerful hurricane will form, so it may be a good idea to get a better understanding of flood insurance.
One of the defining aspects of hurricanes is their powerful, relentless winds. These winds can tear buildings apart, uproot trees, and cause a massive amount of damage. Powerful wind are not the only weapon that hurricanes have at their disposal, however, as they are also the result of floods. Some floods are caused by the same winds that damage properties. These winds trigger surges in seawater that there is little defense against. Heavy rainfall is also the trigger for floods.
When it comes to homeowners insurance, wind damage is typically covered by most properties, but flood damage isn’t. In the U.S., flood protection is a matter well within the federal government’s hands. Flood insurance is supplied through the National Flood Insurance Program, but many homeowners don’t know this. People often believe that their homes are protected by their insurance provider without realizing that floods are not something that private companies involve themselves in. The best way to figure out whether or not you have flood insurance is, of course, to read your policy.
Flood protection often provides coverage for water damage caused by natural disasters, including those that aren’t hurricanes. One of the reasons to ensure that a property is protected by flood insurance coverage, especially during hurricane season, is the fact that strong winds can leave properties exposed to water damage. In the event of a powerful hurricane, winds can cause damage to a structure, leaving it exposed to the heavy rainfall that hurricanes bring with them. The rainfall will augment any damage caused to a property, so making sure you have adequate protection is a must.
At the end of 2012, Hurricane Sandy highlighted the need for flood insurance. The powerful hurricane caused $68 billion in damage, most of which came from flooding. Many of those affected by the disaster did not have flood insurance coverage. In some states, legislative action had to be taken so that these people would not be left without financial assistance. In New York and New Jersey, executive orders were passed to force insurance companies to provide coverage for damages caused by Hurricane Sandy.
