Do You Need Flood Insurance in the Tampa Real Estate Market?

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We are in Hurricane Season in Florida. Tropical Storm Fay whipped through the state without much damage, but a Category 2, 3, or 4 Hurricane, like Charley in 2004, can cause MAJOR damage and flooding. Though Tampa has not been hit by a MAJOR storm in many years, we still need to prepare when a storm heads into the Gulf of Mexico. One of the first questions every Homebuyer asks me, when they are moving to Tampa, is Do I Need Flood Insurance? The answer: YES. While a mortgage company may only REQUIRE a homeowner to carry flood insurance in certain flood zones, , here are some facts every homeowner should know. Just a glimpse of flooded Bayshore Boulevard, where my office is located, tells the story

1.One in Four flood claims, are in a low -moderate risk zone! Chances are good that nearly 25% of those homeowners did not have flood insurance because it was not REQUIRED by their lenders.

2. A car can be swept away by just 2 feet of water!

3. Flash floods occur in all 50 states! Look at the tragedy of the flooding in Iowa and other midwestern states recently. Many of them had no insurance because the risk of flooding was very low.

4. Homeowners Insurance generally will not cover rising water . That coverage requires a separate flood insurance policy.

5. You must add contents coverage to a flood insurance policy, if you want your belongings to be covered.

6. Premiums in low-risk areas are very reasonable, but damage from a flood is costlydo you want to take that chance?

7. It takes 30 days for insurance to take effect, so do not wait until a storm is coming to call your insurance agent. For more infomation on Flood Insurance, visit FloodSmart.gov.

For information on the Tampa Real Estate Market, or any neighborhood in Tampa, please call me at 813.629.5757 or send me an email!