If you are concerned with protection against a loss resulting from heavy rain that falls for several hours and days or heavy amounts of melting spring snow, then you should consider Flood Insurance in VT. The National Flood Insurance Program is actively involved in flood insurance reform and identifying flood risk zones. Not all flooding is covered with flood insurance. It is important that you get the facts and understand how this type of coverage can protect your home.
Floods do not stay in one place; they pick up momentum and can reach you even if you do not live near water. Homeowners and other property insurance does not cover flood damage; a separate flood insurance policy can be purchased to protect your personal and commercial property.
Understanding Flood Insurance
There are limitations to the flood policy. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has an official “flood” definition as described here. A flood is “A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or of two or more properties (at least one of which is your property) from:
- Overflow of inland or tidal waters;
- Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source;
- Mudflow (Mudflow is defined as “A river of liquid and flowing mud on the surfaces of normally dry land areas, as when earth is carried by a current of water…” ) or;
- Collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood as defined above.”
To learn more download the flood fact sheet.
Know your degree of risk and explore your options. We invite you to consult with one of our personal insurance specialists about flood insurance in Vermont.
