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Floods occur frequently, often without warning. They represent the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States. Yet, many property owners do not realize that their insurance policies will not cover the damage.
Even just 1 inch of water in or under your home can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Regular homeowners insurance won’t cover that loss.
Through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you can buy insurance that pays for damage and loss from flooding. Flood insurance can include buildings, furnishings, and other contents of your home.
In some cases, homeowners may be required to maintain flood insurance, for instance, if you live in an area of high flood risk and you or a previous owner has received federal assistance for storm damage.
Cost and Coverage
Rates for flood insurance under the NFIP vary. Prices depend on your home’s location and elevation. Property in a flood zone, as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is at higher risk, resulting in higher premiums.
You can purchase coverage for buildings, which includes your foundation, electrical and HVAC systems, and other property damage. You can also purchase contents coverage, which includes furniture and other personal belongings.
Having this coverage helps people recover after a storm. The NFIP also works to improve floodplain management to reduce the devastation caused by floods.
Q&A
Does homeowners insurance cover losses from a flood?
Homeowners insurance usually covers damage from fire, theft, vandalism, hail, lightning, and storms. These policies generally exclude catastrophes like flooding and earthquakes. These disasters require specialized policies. Moreover, in some places, damage from wind is not covered. To be certain, read your homeowners policy carefully.
What does flood insurance cover?
Generally, it covers damage to your house or buildings, including the duct work and foundations underneath. That can include electrical and plumbing systems; furnaces and water heaters; appliances; carpeting, cabinets; refrigerators, cooking stoves, and built-in dishwashers; detached garages, and other items.
What do you mean by “flooding”?
NFIP insurance covers an excess of water on land that is normally dry, affecting two or more acres of land or two or more properties. This includes overflow from bodies of water, flooding from surface water, mudflows, and collapses along bodies of water due to erosion.
Is there anything flood insurance won’t cover?
NFIP insurance does not cover vehicles; any property outside of a building, such as wells, septic systems, patios, swimming pools, or trees; damage caused by moisture, mildew, or mold that could have been avoided by making immediate repairs; or relocation costs while you are out of your home.
I don’t live in a floodplain. Should I get flood insurance?
Decisions should be made after careful consideration. You can review FEMA flood maps available online. Or, you can call FEMA to find out if you are in a flood zone.
Even if you live outside a flood-prone area, it may be a good idea to have flood insurance. More than a quarter of NFIP claims are filed by people whose property sits outside of high-risk areas. These claims also account for one-third of flooding disaster assistance.
For more information:
National Flood Insurance Program: 800-621-3362
FEMA Mapping and Insurance Exchange : 877-336-2627
FEMA Website (Flood Maps): https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps
Email: FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov
The NFIP is a federal government program administered by FEMA. The NFIP partners with more than 50 private insurance companies and the NFIP Direct to sell and service flood insurance policies.
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If you are elderly or disabled and own your home, you may qualify for a reduction of your property taxes.
To be eligible, you must be either 65 or older, or totally and permanently disabled. You also must own and live in your home, unless you are living elsewhere for medical reasons.
This reduction does not happen automatically. You will need to submit an application to your local tax office. Applications are accepted from January 1 to June 1 of each year. You can find the Application for Property Tax Relief online, or ask for a copy in your county tax office.
There are three possible exemptions you may receive:
Elderly or Disabled Exemption
- You must be either 65 or older, or totally and permanently disabled.
- Your income must be under a certain limit. For 2024, the limit is $36,700 annually.
- You will need to turn in information about your income. If you are disabled but not elderly, your doctor will also have to fill out a form.
- If you qualify for the exemption, the county will tax your property as if it were worth less than it really is. For tax calculation purposes, the county will either exclude the first $25,000 in value or will reduce the value by 50%, whichever lowers your bill more.
Disabled Veteran Exemption
- You must be a veteran with a totally and permanently service-connected disability, and who left the military under honorable conditions.
- Widows and widowers of disabled veterans also qualify, if you have not remarried.
- There are no income limits for this exemption.
- Your home will be taxed as if it were worth $45,000 less than it really is.
“Circuit Breaker” Tax Deferment
- This is an alternative to the Elderly and Disabled Exemption. You must be either 65 or older, or totally or permanently disabled.
- Under this exemption, your taxes can be calculated as a percentage of your income, rather than based on the value of the property.
- For 2024, if your income is below $36,700, your taxes will be limited to 4% of your income.
- If your income is between $36,700 and $55,050, your taxes will be limited to 5% of your income.
- Taxes above the limit will be a lien on the property that is forgiven after 3 years.