(if They Didn’t Have Flood Insurance)
If you lived through Hurricane Idalia without flood insurance and your home got flooded, you could face some big challenges when it comes to rebuilding. In Florida, you’re not legally required to have flood insurance, but it’s a really good idea, especially if you live in an area that’s prone to flooding.
There’s a program called the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that offers flood insurance to people who own homes and those who rent. But here’s the thing – the NFIP is having money problems, so the cost of getting this insurance is going up. Because of this, some homeowners are deciding not to get flood insurance.
However, it’s worth reconsidering this decision, as floods can wreak havoc. Following the fury of Hurricane Idalia, numerous homeowners who went without flood insurance find themselves grappling with substantial financial burdens. They could find themselves in the tough spot of footing repair bills from their own pockets or, in some cases, contemplating a forced change of residence.
If you’re a homeowner in Florida, it’s really important to think about whether you should get flood insurance. Even if you don’t live in a place where floods happen a lot, remember that floods can happen anywhere and happen quickly.
The NFIP offers different kinds of flood insurance, so you can find one that fits your budget. You can also talk to a flood insurance agent to help you pick the right policy.
If you’re without insurance and your home gets damaged by a flood, you might be able to get help from the government to recover. But here’s the tricky part – it’s not guaranteed, and it might not cover everything you’ve lost.
To make sure you don’t end up with big bills after a flood, it’s a good idea to get flood insurance. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.