10 Facts Every Consumer Needs to Know About the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)...       We are well aware of the devastation that a flood can cause. However, most of us know very little about the likelihood of flood damage affecting our property. We are equally unsure of how our insurance coverage would respond to flood damage. It is important that you are aware of your risks prior to a loss occurring. The following 10 facts should help make you aware of your risks and the NFIP...

1. Everyone lives in a flood zone. Storms, melting snow, hurricanes, and water backup due to inadequate or overloaded drainage systems cause floods. You don't need to live near water to be flooded.

2. Flood damage is not covered by homeowners policies. You can protect your home, business, and belongings with flood insurance from the NFIP. You can insure your home for up to $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for your contents.

3. You can buy flood insurance no matter what your flood risk is. Whether your flood risk is high, medium, or low, you can buy flood insurance as long as your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. Almost 25 percent of all flood insurance claims come from low-to moderate-risk areas.

4. There is a low-cost policy for homes in low-to-moderate risk areas. The Preferred Risk Policy is available for just over $100 a year. You can buy up to $250,000 of coverage for your home and $60,000 of coverage for your contents.

5. Flood insurance is affordable. The average flood insurance policy costs a little more than $300 a year for about $100,000 of coverage. In comparison, a disaster home loan of $50,000 can cost you more than $300 a month for over 20 years.

6. Flood insurance is easy to get. You can buy NFIP flood insurance from Nelson & Associates Insurance Services... Call today!

7. Contents coverage is separate, so renters can insure their belongings too. Up to $100,000 contents coverage is available for homeowners and renters. Make sure to ask one of our friendly agents about contents coverage. It is not automatically included with the building coverage.

8. Up to a total of $1 million of flood insurance coverage is available for non-residential buildings and contents. Separate coverage limits of up to $500,000 are available for both non-residential buildings and their contents.

9. There is usually a 30-day waiting period before the coverage goes into effect. Plan ahead so you're not caught without flood insurance when a flood threatens your home or business.

10. Federal disaster assistance is not the answer. Federal disaster assistance is only available if the President declares a disaster. More than 90 percent of all disasters in the United States are not Presidentially declared. Flood insurance pays even if a diaster is not declared.