Flooding Insurance Information

There are three main categories for flooding risk that Houston residents should insure for.

The first is for flood damage that happens due to plumbing problems. The two main causes of this type of damage are leaks or bursting of water pipes, and overflows such as air conditioning drain pans. Some homeowner's insurance policies will cover this type of damage and others don't. I suggest checking your policy or asking your agent about your coverage. If your policy doesn't cover this you should consider changing to a better policy.

The next type of flooding damage is driven rain that gets in after windstorm damage. This is usually covered on homeowner's policies. An exception would be in costal areas where this coverage is excluded. Then you would need a separate windstorm policy with the driven rain option for this.

The most destructive flooding is the type that results from rising water. Houston has suffered flooding frequently in the past so it is advisable to insure for this risk. Homeowner's policy almost always rising water flooding so a separate flood insurance policy is required. The least expensive way to get flood insurance is usually with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). FEMA requlates this program and the federal government makes payments for covered losses. You can get coverage for just contents, or the home and contents. This insurance is also available for businesses. You get NFIP flood insurance at a regulated rate from private companys or agents that participate in the program.

NFIP flood insurance rates depend mostly on what flood zone you are in, how much coverage you want, and what deductable you select. The areas of least risk is in the B or X zones. These areas usually qualify for the "preferred" rate with a $500 deductable.

Here are some examples of preferred rates:

CONTENTS ONLY:

$8,000 for $58 per year

$20,000 for $113 per year

$40,000 for $147 per year

$100,000 for $221 per year

HOME PLUS CONTENTS:

$20,000 home plus $8,000 contents for $119 per year

$30,000 / $12,000 for $149 per year

$50,0000 / $20,000 for $196 per year

$100,000 / $40,000 for $257 per year

$200,000 / $80,000 for $326 per year

Texas residents can call my office at 281-537-2700 for more information. Or visit our Texas flood insurance website.

Also visit our homeowners insurance site Homeowners Insurance Houston website.