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Because the City of Dallas participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, All Dallas residents can buy flood insurance! Your homeowners insurance doesn't cover floods…Federal Flood Insurance does Floods can happen anytime, anywhere, including Dallas. They cause anguish and destruction–physical, emotional and financial. Especially when victims realize the damage isn't covered by their homeowners insurance policy. A common myth is that flood insurance is only available to persons living in flood prone areas. The truth is, all residents in the city limits of Dallas are eligible to purchase low-cost flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. For more homeowners, business owners, and renters, this program is the only way to purchase flood insurance. Most homeowners policies do not cover flooding. Remember, floods can happen anytime, anywhere. But you can protect yourself. Does your homeowners policy cover flooding? Probably not. Read your policy carefully. Most homeowners policies only cover water damage caused by water entering the home through roof leaks, broken windows or broken pipes. Damage caused by rising water, or flooding, is usually not covered. If you are unsure about your policy, ask your agent to explain it to you. Only Federal flood insurance reimburses you for flood damage to your property! Until the 1960s, most property owners were unable to get insurance against flood damage. Private insurance companies, aware of the potential for catastrophic losses, were unwilling to assume financial risk alone. In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program. This federal program provides flood insurance at a reasonable cost in exchange for the careful management of flood prone areas by local communities (The City of Dallas is a participant in this program which qualifies residents to purchase a policy). Today, the NFIP serves millions of policyholders throughout the United States. It is currently being administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its Federal Insurance Administration. Federal insurance covers structural and personal property Flood insurance is available on almost any enclosed building and its contents. This includes homes, condominiums, mobile homes on foundations, businesses and farms. The contents of a rental unit are also insurable. It covers your home and belongings from damage caused by rising water such as structural elements including, walls, floors, equipment and fixtures; contents such as furniture, appliances, carpeting, and wall and floor coverings; and personal items such as clothing, stereos and televisions. How much does it cost? In low- to moderate-risk areas, coverage is available for as little as $80 per year. The average premium in high-risk areas is about $300 per year. Your insurance agent can quote you a price for the coverage you need. Coverage available for a building: single family — up to $250,000; all other residential — up to $250,000; non-residential — up to $500,000. Coverage available for contents: residential — up to $100,000; non-residential — up to $500,000. Your insurance agent can give you more specific information. Federal flood insurance covers protective measures to reduce flood damage during a storm Preventive measures to reduce flood damage to an insured building are often reimbursable. Policyholders may also recover the cost of removing insured contents from a building that has been declared in imminent danger of flooding by community officials. This includes the removal and/or temporary storage of contents. How can I find out more about Federal Flood Insurance? For more information, call your insurance agent first. You can also call FEMA's Federal Insurance Administration at 1-800-638-6620. DO NOT call the City of Dallas — the City does not administer any flood insurance programs. What if my agent doesn't sell flood insurance or says I am not eligible? You agent may be unaware of how the National Flood Insurance Program works or may not want to issue flood insurance policies. You would be better served by an agent who understands the program and issues flood insurance policies. Consider finding another agent to represent you. FLOOD SAFETY TIPS:
City of Dallas Public Works & Transportation Dept. This publication was produced by the City of Dallas Public Works and Transportation Department and the Office of the County Fire Marshal, Dallas County. For more information, call (214) 904-3017. City of Dallas Public Works & Transportation Dept. Publication No. 93/94-61 |
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