A homeowner policy does not insure against damage to your home and its contents due to flood. For residents of Long Island, a flood insurance policy is the only way to protect against flood waters that can damage your home. Loss due to a flood can be very expensive!
The National Flood Insurance Program was created by Congress in 1968. It is intended to help property owners protect themselves financially from the devastation flood waters can bring.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has redrawn the flood maps for Nassau and Suffolk Counties in 2009. They have zoned parts of Nassau and Suffolk County, Long Island a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). THese are areas that are at a high risk of flooding. They have also designated areas of Suffolk and Nassau County, Long Island as Non-Special Flood Hazard Area (NSFHA). These areas have a low to moderate risk of flooding. Flood Insurance is available to homeowners, renters, condo owners, and commercial owners. The cost of a flood insurance policy depends on the amount of coverage purchased and whether or not your home lies within a Special Flood Hazard Area.
Living on Long Island we need to pay close attention to the National Weather Service Hurricane tracking center when there is a possibility of a Hurricane making landfall in either Nassau or Suffolk County. If Long Island gets a direct hit from a major hurricane, there could be major flood damage to thousands of homes not only along the coast but inland also. With a major Hurricane there is usually high rainfall amounts which can cause flooding in areas that normally do not have a problem.
So how do you protect your family? There are several ways to provide protection to your family. You should have an emergency supply kit readily available. The kit should include non-perishable food, with manual can opener, bottled water, a first aid kit, a flashlight with extra batteries, and a battery powered radio, extra cash, and prescription medication. If you live on the north or south shore of Long Island, you should be familiar with the evacuation routes. Perhaps the most important thing you can do now is to call your local independent agent, Newbrook Insurance Agency and get a free quote for flood insurance. With most flood policies there is a mandatory 30 day waiting period before a flood policy goes into effect. So whether you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, Newbrook Insurance understands the communities of Long Island. Call us today and let a licensed professional get you started protecting your family. Let Newbrook Insurance give you a free quote for flood insurance!