Category: Flood Insurance

Floodproof Your Basement

Offering your home’s basement comprehensive protection against flooding goes a long way in reducing the chances of filing a residential flood insurance claim. Follow these simple guidelines to achieve this:

Improve The Drainage

Efficient drainage inhibits water from accumulating within your house’s basement. Routinely inspect the outdoor drainage status. The terrain encompassing your home ought to be level. If there exists an incline, compact the soil with a tamping tool. Gravel added to window wells around your basement’s exterior aids in drainage and prevents water from seeping into your basement.

Inspect Structural Materials

Ensure there are no cracks or holes in the structural materials constructing your basement’s walls and floor. Any weakness could provide an entry route for water. Use a concrete patch product to fix any detected damage. Once repaired, apply a waterproof sealant to the nonporous surfaces for enhanced protection.

Consider Sump Pump Installation

If flooding has been a recurrent issue, installing a sump pump would be a beneficial investment. This device effectively collects and funnels water outside your home. The services of a qualified plumber can be sort to ensure a correct sump pump installation. It offers a practical solution for protecting your basement items from saturation.

Contact Lee Insurance Agency LLC

If you need further guidance on flood protection or assistance with your personal insurance documents, reach out to one of the agents at Lee Insurance Agency LLC. Being experienced in serving North Carolina residents, we’re best placed to help.

Floods rank among the most powerful forces on earth, capable of wiping entire communities and even regions away. A devastating flood can quickly swamp rivers and local drainage systems, among other things. Traditional property insurance often doesn’t cover flooding, making flood insurance a must. Contact Lee Insurance Agency LLC to discuss flood insurance in North Carolina.

Flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina remains the most expensive in American history.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina etched its name in the history books by causing extensive damage in New Orleans and beyond. When you first think of hurricanes, you may envision the damage caused by high winds, but in practice, storm surges and flooding may wreak the most havoc.

The flood damage caused by Hurricane Katrina certainly was devastating, with the storm overwhelming more than a hundred levees. The National Flood Insurance Program alone paid about $16 billion in damages.

Hurricane Harvey Sets the Record Per Average Paid Loss.

Hurricane Harvey slammed into East Texas and the Gulf Coast, causing widespread flooding and devastation. In total, the storm is estimated to have caused over $9 billion in National Flood Insurance Program payouts alone. The average payment for losses topped $115,000, making this the most expensive per capita hurricane in American history.

Hurricane Florence was likely the costliest in North Carolina history.

In North Carolina, the most costly flooding in state history was likely caused by Hurricane Florence in 2018. It’s always hard to separate flood damage from wind and other factors, but in total, it’s believed that surge water, flooding, and wind damage caused $22 billion worth of damage in the state. Tragically, 15 people in North Carolina perished due to the hurricane.

North Carolina and many other states experience countless floods per year. While many may not set records or make history, they can cause immense damage. As such, flood insurance is crucial. Get in touch with Lee Insurance Agency LLC to explore flood insurance in North Carolina.

One of the most costly mistakes a homeowner can make is assuming their home insurance policy covers flooding. Most home insurance policies will cover flooding that happens due to a pipe bursting or an appliance leaking, but they will not cover flooding due to heavy rain. As such, this confuses homeowners, and then they do not wind up with a separate flood insurance policy.

Here at Lee Insurance Agency LLC, serving the greater North Carolina region, we want to help you avoid being in this situation.

How Can You Tell If Your Homeowners Insurance Includes Flood Coverage? 

In order to determine if you have flood coverage with your home insurance policy, you will have to read through your home insurance policy. Look under the exclusions list, as this is typically where flooding is listed. If your policy does cover flooding, you may have a separate endorsement for your policy for flooding. An insurance agent can read through your policy and tell you for sure whether your existing policy covers flooding or not. 

What Should You Do If Your Policy Does Not Include Flood Coverage? 

If your home insurance policy does not cover flooding, you will need to purchase a separate flood insurance product to protect your home from damage caused by flooding. 

Contact Us Today

Most home insurance policies do not have flood coverage when the floods are caused by rivers flowing over their banks or for heavy periods of rain. If your policy does not cover this type of flooding, you need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy to ensure your home is fully protected. Here at Lee Insurance Agency LLC, serving the greater North Carolina area, we can help you get the flood coverage you need. Call us today to get started. 

Given that most homeowners insurance policies exclude flood damage, you may want to consider purchasing an auxiliary policy. In fact, depending on where you live, you may be required to have flood insurance if you are in a high-risk zone. 

If your home falls in a high-risk flood area as determined by FEMA and you have a mortgage from a lender, you are legally mandated to have flood insurance. Generally speaking, if your home falls in a moderate-to-low-risk area then you will not be required to have flood insurance, but check with your mortgage lender to confirm. To learn if you need flood insurance, you can use FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to find out. When looking at the map, keep in mind that it is not updated in real-time so the information may be outdated. If you live in a coastal community, low-lying area, or near a body of water you are more likely to need flood insurance. However, even if you are not required to have flood insurance but live near water you should strongly consider purchasing a policy. The peace of mind afforded by flood insurance is well worth the cost. 

Check with your lender or real estate agent to confirm if you’ll need flood insurance. Flood insurance can be purchased through private organizations like Lee Insurance Agency LLC in North Carolina. At Lee Insurance Agency, we pride ourselves on delivering excellent customer service and always putting you first. Give us a call today or stop by our conveniently located office to learn more about our flood insurance offerings. We promise you’ll leave completely satisfied. 

It’s easy to get sunk by all the myths and misinformation surrounding flood insurance.

Luckily, Lee Insurance Agency LLC is here to throw you a lifeline. Serving North Carolina, their agents hope to set the record straight by examining four facts about flood insurance.

Flood insurance isn’t covered by other policies.

Many people incorrectly assume they’re already protected from flood damage. This is a common misconception. In reality, floods are typically excluded from standard homeowners or renter’s plans. Only a dedicated flood policy covers destruction from rising water. If damage does occur, the building structure and any belongings inside are protected.

Flood insurance is needed for all locations.

Flood insurance is rarely required. But, it’s always recommended. Although flood insurance is often mandated for those who live in a high-risk zone or have a government-assisted mortgage, anyone is susceptible to flooding. In fact, FEMA reports that people in low or moderate flood areas are nearly five times more likely to face a flood than a fire.

Flood insurance isn’t just for homeowners.

Even renters need flood insurance. While a landlord likely has its own policy, this coverage is restricted to just the exterior and structure of the building. Interior damage to furniture, fixtures, or personal possessions would not be protected. Personal flood insurance fills that gap.

Flood insurance is easy to add to existing plans.

Policies are available from the government through the National Flood Insurance Program. These federally-supported plans are issued by local, private companies. Prices will vary based on location, coverage needed, and a property’s overall flood risk. Contact a North Carolina insurance agent to discuss your options.

Call Lee Insurance Agency LLC today

Flooding can rarely be prevented. But, if it does, you can trust you’re protected. Schedule an appointment with one of their experienced agents today.

North Carolina does not require homeowners to buy flood insurance, but those residents who own houses in flood-prone areas may be required to buy coverage to qualify for a mortgage. It is also wise for residents who do not reside in high-risk flood areas to consider buying flood insurance because standard homeowners policy does not cover damages related to flooding.

The price of flood damage can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars, even with a few inches of water. Studies reveal that North Carolina is susceptible to many flood-related disasters, including seasonal heavy rains and hurricanes annually. It is vital to understand that NFIP(National Flood Insurance Program) does not cover some events such as loss of income. Therefore it’s prudent to consider buying some policies from authorized private insurance companies in the state of North Carolina.

The private flood insurance companies provide a wide range of policies, and there is the likelihood of meeting your needs. Contact our agents at Lee Insurance Agency LLC in North Carolina and acquire an outstanding insurance policy that will guarantee your protection if flood-related damages occur unexpectedly.

What is covered under the flood insurance policy offered at Lee Insurance Agency LLC?

We have two coverages as prescribed by NFIP:

• Structure(dwelling)
• Content(property)

Structure coverage covers:

• Standard home systems like central AC, furnace, and electrical wiring.
• Wall, windows, doors, and roof.
• Built-in appliances such as refrigerators.
• Permanent carpeting.
• Detached garages.
• Debris removal.

Property coverage covers:

• Furniture and movable -floor covering like rugs.
• Electronics.
• Clothing.
• Curtains.
• Portable appliances such as window air conditioners and microwaves.
• Frozen food but not refrigerated.

What is not covered under flood insurance.

• Decks.
• Fences.
• Trees and plants.
• Hot tubs and pools.
• Precious metals.
• Cash and stock certificates.
• Landscaping.
• Outdoor paths.

Flooding is an imminent natural calamity in the entire United States, costing billions annually. Contact us or visit our Lee Insurance Agency LLC in North Carolina to avert financial ruin associated with inefficient flood insurance coverage.