Thursday, January 11, 2007

What Is a Flood Insurance Rate Map?


What Is a Flood Insurance Rate Map?

Millions of Americans have flood insurance coverage for their homes. Even more Americans should have flood insurance, but they don't. One of the most common reasons why flood insurance is not purchased is because of the price. Not having flood insurance coverage is something that can cause emotional, physical, and financial turmoil.

If you are a homeowner who currently does not have flood insurance, you need to determine whether or not you should get it. The easiest way to determine whether or not you need flood insurance is to determine your risk of flooding. This flooding may occur monthly, yearly, or every few years. If your basement floods with water every time it rains, you should obtain flood insurance if you do not already have it.

Previous flood damage is the most obvious sign that you should have flood insurance, but not all individuals are able to see the signs. That is why the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) developed Flood Insurance Rate Maps. A Flood Insurance Rate Map is a great way to determine if you live in an area that may experience flooding.

Many individuals wonder how a FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map is developed. Many people think that if they can't predict flooding then how can the federal government? When it comes to developing a FEMA Flood Insurance Map, the government uses assistance from scientists and advanced equipment. The information is complied and used to determine the likelihood that an area will experience flooding in the event of too much rainfall or a natural disaster.

In addition to giving homeowners notice that they are living in a location that is prone to flooding, a FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map is also used by the National Flood Insurance Program. To qualify for low-cost flood insurance coverage offered by the National Flood Insurance Program, an area must meet standard imposed by the program. The National Flood Insurance Program uses FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps to determine whether or not standards should be imposed.

It is important that you know that flood insurance can be beneficial to those who do not experience flooding on a normal basis. Most of the flooding in the United States occurs near coastal locations or other large bodies of water. It is important to note, that these are not the only places that flooding can occur. That is why you should at least consider flood insurance as an option, no matter where you reside. For flood insurance coverage with a 12% discount, contact an AmeriFlood agent today.

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