Wednesday, 26 April 2017

What You Need To Know About The Private Flood Insurance CA Homeowners Choose

By Shirley Howard


A home is a huge investment for most people, and they will do whatever is necessary to protect it. They insure it against fire, burglary, and water damage. Many believe their California homeowner's policy covers anything that might happen, but they are wrong. Those who live in low lying areas often find out the hard way that flooding is not an item covered in their standard policy. Without the FEMA or private flood insurance CA underwriters offer, these homeowners are left to replace and repair their homes themselves and at their own expense.

A number of laws were enacted under the Obama administration that changed the rules regarding government subsidized policies, rate hikes, and the introduction of independent underwriting protection against flooding events. The independent agencies have very competitive rates, and homeowners have the same coverage they receive under the FEMA plans. The government and commercial agencies even employ the same claims adjusters.

This protection is not guaranteed to all homeowners. It is not open to residents throughout the country, although more than half the country is eligible. The types of buildings the policies cover include residences with one to four units, and structures that are not for residential use. Individuals don't have to be homeowners to qualify. Renters can purchase the protection for the contents of their homes.

Mobile home and condominium owners cannot get the coverage, nor can those who live in the coastal barrier resources system. Any property that has been flooded in the last five years is ineligible. Property that is still damaged from previous flooding is not a candidate either. If the government has deemed a property a severe repetitive loss, the company will not insure it. Those in violation of state regulations pertaining to floodplain management are ineligible.

Reimbursements for flooding are limited. The owner of a residential structure can only expect to receive five hundred thousand dollars for repairs and replacement costs. They will be able to claim twenty-five hundred thousand for content compensation. Owners of commercial structures have a limit of five hundred thousand dollars for content replacement costs.

Many applicants are interested to know how long it takes for a policy to become active. Underwriters tell them that it depends. If the applicant is purchasing a home, and a federally regulated lender requires a policy be in place, there is no waiting period. There is not a wait time if a homeowner decides to change companies insuring their property, if the current policy is still in effect, and the company they are moving from is part of an approved network.

Prospective homeowners can reduce their policy costs substantially by purchasing property that is elevated. Even though may be in a low lying area or in close proximity to a large body of water, it much more likely to survive a flooding event than its neighbors located at a lower elevation.

Although they understand the dangers, many homeowners choose to live in areas where flooding is common. Many refuse to relocate no matter how many times the water rises. For those who choose this lifestyle, protection policies are not only necessary but crucial.




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