Your home is a huge investment, and your WI homeowners’ insurance does a great job of protecting it from damage, but not all types of damage. One of the exclusions is damage caused by flooding.
Whether you live in a high, medium, or low-risk flood zone, flood insurance is one of the most important insurance policies that can protect your home.
What is Flood Insurance?
Flood insurance gives you protection against losses and damages incurred due to flooding. While standard WI homeowners’ insurance policies cover damages such as broken pipes, they offer no protection against natural disasters, making it essential for you to buy a flood insurance policy.
What Does Flood Insurance Cover?
Flood insurance is split into two - building coverage and personal contents coverage. Each covers different things, and homeowners can purchase one or both policies.
Building Coverage
Building coverage is designed to protect the structure of your home, including:
Foundation walls
Electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems
Detached garages
Solar panels
Permanently installed carpeting
Staircases
Window blinds
Permanently installed bookcases, cabinets, paneling, and wallboard.
Fuel tanks, etc.
Personal Content Coverage
Personal content coverage protects your possessions, including:
Appliances, such as washing machine
Electronics
Clothing
Furniture
Flooring not protected by building coverage
Precious metals
Jewelry up to $2,500, etc.
Flood insurance does not cover broken pipes, sewage back-ups, or damage to your landscaping and outdoor structures such as decks, pools, and patios. It also does not cover damages to your vehicles. A comprehensive auto insurance policy should cover your car.
Is Flood Insurance Required in Wisconsin?
If your home is in a high-risk flood zone, your mortgage lender will likely require you to purchase flood insurance.
According to FEMA, about 25% of claims received are for homes in low-risk zones. Even if you’re not required to carry flood insurance because your area is low-risk, flooding is still a possibility. Your home and personal items are still at risk of damage, so it’s a smart decision to buy flood insurance.
How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost?
Various factors determine what you’ll pay for flood insurance, including your area’s flood risk level. Other factors include the coverage type you purchase, the age of your home, your deductible, and so on.
Getting Affordable WI Flood Insurance Policies
Flood insurance policies are available through private insurance companies or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Whether you’re buying flood insurance through the NFIP or a private insurer, the easiest way to find an affordable policy that offers all the protection you need is by relying on the help of local independent agents.
They can guide you from start to finish and leverage their solid relationship with the top insurance providers to ensure you’re getting a good deal. Get in touch with an independent flood insurance agent today.