18 Feb Are you Prepared for a Flood? Do you need Flood Insurance?

It seems as if we have been experiencing more and more floods in the past few years.  The key to preventing floods is to be prepared. One way to prepare and protect your investments, such as your home, is to purchase the correct insurance, which is a flood policy. Flood insurance is an additional insurance policy, not an add on to your already existing homeowners insurance.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which offers flood insurance nationwide, offers some tips on how people can be ready for the major dangers of flooding. How can you be prepared for before, during, and after a flood?

Before

• Have a written inventory of your household inventory
• Use a water-resistant safe or cabinet to store valuable documents and irreplaceable items
• Ensure your insurance policies are up-to-date (in addition to homeowners insurance, you will need a separate flood insurance policy to cover water damage)
• Move your most valuable items and furniture upstairs if you have a second story
• Install a sump pump in your basement
• Keep a supply of bottled water in an elevated place in order to avoid it from being contaminated by flood water

During

• Once a flood is imminent, fill empty jugs along with bathtubs and sinks with clean water in case the water supply becomes contaminated
• Keep up-to-date on news reports on the radio or television
• Evacuate immediately if the report is given
• If you are unable to evacuate before the flooding begins, move to the second flood, attic or roof if necessary
• In addition to avoiding touching the water due to the harmful disease it can carry, avoid walking in what seems to be shallow water because as little as 6 inches of water can be powerful enough to knock you down
• Do not drive on a flooded road! It takes as little as 2 feet of water to carry away a car

After

• Call the agent for your flood insurance policy if your home has sustained damage
• Upon returning home, to photographs of all damage and save a damaged personal items in order to speed up the insurance claim process
• Until the water supply has been declared safe by authorities, boil all water for drinking and food preparation
• Set up fans, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners to dry your house out more quickly

For more information on flood safety, visit Insure.com to read more helpful tips from NFIP. For information on flood insurance call Spivey Insurance Group today to talk to one of our helpful agents or visit our website for a free quote. +Also, don’t forget to follow us on facebook , twitter  and instagram for more helpful hints and information!