In the wake of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, approximately 80 percent of households impacted by the storm did not have flood insurance.

Did you know?

• Floods are the nation’s most common and costly natural disaster, causing billions of dollars in damage each year.
• Homeowners and renters insurance does not typically cover flood damage.
• Floods can happen anywhere. In fact, 98 percent of counties in the United States have experienced a flood, and more than 20 percent of flood claims come from properties outside the high-risk flood zone.
• If your property is in a low-to-moderate flood risk area, your flood insurance could be much more affordable than you might think.

Just one inch of water in an average-sized home can cost more than $25,000 in damage. You can recover faster and more fully after a disaster with flood insurance. Call your insurance agent and buy a policy today.

There’s typically a 30-day wait period between when you purchase the policy and when it becomes effective. The agent who sold you your homeowners or renters insurance should be able to sell you a flood insurance policy. If not, you can find an agent by calling the NFIP Help Center, at 1-800-427-4661.

Helpful questions to ask your insurance agent:

Ask the right questions so you can buy the flood coverage you need:

• Does my homeowners insurance cover flood?
• What flood zone do I live in? What is my property’s flood risk?
• What will and won’t be covered?
• How much coverage should I purchase for my building and for my contents?
• When will my policy become effective?
• Will my policy provide Replacement Cost Value or Actual Cash Value—and what’s the difference between the two?
• Do I qualify for a Preferred Risk Policy (PRP)?
• Does my community participate in the NFIP’s Community Rating System (CRS)? If so, does my home qualify for a CRS rating discount?
• Is flood insurance mandatory for my property? Will the lender require it?
• Are there additional expenses or agency fees?
• How can I pay for my policy?
• How do I renew my policy?

Visit FloodSmart.gov to learn more about “How to Buy” and information about the following:

• Steps you can take to reduce the cost of your flood insurance.
• Information about coverage and deductibles.
• Exceptions that may allow your NFIP coverage to go into effect immediately.