Begin Main Content Area


 Blog Post

Spring is just around the corner. Are you ready?

March 12, 2024 11:00 AM
By: Ready PA

Hands together in a team effort

​Each year, especially during the spring months, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) urges property owners to consider purchasing flood insurance to protect their homes, businesses and possessions. 

 

Flooding across the state is a common occurrence this time of year, and just one inch of rain can cause $25,000 of damage to your home.

So, who should purchase flood insurance? The short answer – everyone.


While hazard insurance and all it encompasses can be quite daunting, it's important to understand the basics of flood insurance. PID is here to help you with that! 

 

Your standard homeowner's policy does NOT cover flood insurance.
That's right – flood insurance is not included in your standard homeowner's or renter's insurance policy. PID encourages homeowners and renters to review their policies now and consider adding flood insurance, which can be purchased through the private market or the Nationa​l Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). 

 

NOTE: Homeowners who live in federally designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) are likely required to have flood insurance by their mortgage lenders.

 

Don't wait! Flood insurance policies are not active immediately.
It's important to be aware that flood insurance policies are not active immediately. In fact, it's likely to take as much as 30 days before your policy is active.

This “hold" is to prevent individuals from purchasing flood insurance simply because a storm is headed in the direction of their property. This “hold" can be bypassed, though, when a home was just purchased and the lender requires flood coverage, and if the home was recently added to the federal government's SFHA map. 

 

What flood insurance covers.
Flood insurance, available through both the NFIP and private insurers, can be purchased to cover almost any building and its contents, including rental property and condominiums. Renters also can buy flood insurance protection for their possessions.

 

Flooding is a real threat, regardless of where you live, and PID continues to encourage consumers to consider purchasing flood insurance to protect their home and possessions.

Information on both the NFIP and private flood insurance is available on the Insurance Department's one-stop flood insurance webpage.

 

Learn more about flooding from the Ready PA March Newsletter.​



Share This