Residents urged to get insurance against floods

Wednesday, April 7, 2004 | 8:27 a.m.

With flash flooding possible this spring and summer, the Regional Flood Control District wants to make sure that valley residents are prepared, a district official said.

First on a homeowner's checklist could be purchasing flood insurance, which is available to any resident whether they live in a flood zone or not.

"There has been some some confusion even among some insurance agents about the availability of flood insurance," said Kevin Eubanks, assistant general manager of the Regional Flood Control District.

"Flood insurance is available to every homeowner and renter, even if they are not in a flood zone," Eubanks said.

Flood insurance is much less expensive for homes not located in flood zones identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Eubanks said. But the owners of those homes may see a time when they wish they had the insurance.

"A common misconception is that if a home is not in a flood zone it will never be flooded," Eubanks said.

Between 20 percent and 25 percent of flood damage claims are made by people who do not live in a flood zone, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said.

Typical homeowners' insurance policies do not cover flood damages, Eubanks said. A separate policy must be purchased.

It takes 30 days for flood insurance to take effect. The cost of the policy depends on several factors including where the home is located, when it was built and the amount of coverage.

The average cost of flood insurance for a home not in a flood zone is roughly $500 a year.

For more information about flood insurance or to be referred to a local insurance agent, call FEMA at (888) CALL-FLOOD.

Residents can also visit the Regional Flood Control District's website at www.ccrfcd.org to determine if their home is in a flood zone and for more ways to prepare for during this year's flood season.