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Category: Hurricane

Homeowners Insurance VS Flood Insurance: What You Need to Know

Posted on by blinktech

When it comes to protecting your home, understanding your insurance options is crucial. Many homeowners assume that their homeowners insurance covers all types of disasters—including floods. Unfortunately, that assumption can be a costly one. In reality, homeowners insurance and flood insurance are two distinct policies, each offering protection from different risks.

At HANDS, we aim to make housing education accessible and practical. In this article, we’ll explain the key differences between homeowners insurance and flood insurance, what each policy covers, and when you might need one, the other, or both. If you’re a homeowner or planning to become one, this guide will help you make informed decisions about protecting your property.

What Is Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners insurance is a policy that provides financial protection against damages to your home and personal belongings due to a variety of covered events. It also offers liability coverage if someone is injured on your property.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

Most standard homeowners insurance policies include:

  • Dwelling coverage: Repairs or rebuilds your home if it’s damaged by covered perils such as fire, windstorms, or vandalism.
  • Personal property coverage: Covers items like furniture, electronics, and clothing if they are stolen or damaged.
  • Liability protection: Helps with legal expenses if someone is injured on your property.
  • Additional living expenses: Pays for temporary housing if your home is uninhabitable due to a covered event.

What It Does NOT Cover

One of the most important exclusions in standard homeowners insurance policies is flood damage. Damage caused by flooding, whether from heavy rain, hurricanes, or rising rivers, is not covered. For that, you need a separate flood insurance policy.

What Is Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance specifically protects your home and belongings from water damage caused by flooding. It is usually offered through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), but some private insurers also provide policies.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

Flood insurance typically includes two types of coverage:

  • Building property coverage: Covers the physical structure of your home, including the foundation, electrical and plumbing systems, HVAC, and built-in appliances.
  • Personal contents coverage: Protects personal items such as clothing, furniture, and electronics.

Common Flooding Sources Covered:

  • Overflowing rivers or lakes
  • Heavy rain
  • Melting snow
  • Storm surges
  • Broken levees or dams

What It Does NOT Cover

  • Damage from sewer backups (unless directly caused by flooding)
  • Temporary housing or additional living expenses
  • Landscaping, pools, or decks
  • Most vehicles

Why Doesn’t Homeowners Insurance Cover Flood Damage?

This is a question we hear a lot at HANDS: Why do I need flood insurance if I already have homeowners insurance?

The simple answer: Flooding is considered a high-risk event and is treated as a separate hazard. Insurance companies handle it differently due to the extensive damage and high costs floods can cause. As a result, you must purchase flood insurance separately to be protected from water damage caused by flooding.

Do You Need Both Types of Insurance?

When Homeowners Insurance Is Enough

If you live in an area with low flood risk and your lender does not require flood insurance, homeowners insurance might be sufficient—but only for the covered events listed in your policy (fire, wind, theft, etc.).

When You Should Have Flood Insurance

You should seriously consider flood insurance if:

  • You live in a high-risk flood zone
  • Your mortgage lender requires it
  • Your home is located near coastlines, rivers, or floodplains
  • You want peace of mind regardless of FEMA flood zone classifications

When You Need Both

If you want comprehensive protection for your home, having both policies is the best option. Homeowners insurance and flood insurance work together to fill coverage gaps.

Comparing Policies: Homeowners vs Flood Insurance

FeatureHomeowners InsuranceFlood Insurance
Covers flood damage?NoYes
Covers fire/wind/hail?YesNo
Covers theft or vandalism?YesNo
Covers personal belongings?YesYes (if selected)
Covers temporary housing?YesNo
Required by mortgage lender?OftenOnly in high-risk zones

How to Determine If You Need Flood Insurance

Flood insurance may be required by your lender if your home is in a high-risk area. Even if it’s not required, you can check your flood risk using FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center. Keep in mind:

  • 20% of flood claims come from low or moderate risk areas
  • Flooding can occur anywhere it rains
  • Just one inch of water can cause $25,000 or more in damage

Talk with your insurance agent and HANDS’ local Housing Counselors to understand your risks and options.

How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost?

The cost of flood insurance depends on:

  • Your property’s flood zone
  • The elevation of your home
  • Type of coverage selected
  • Deductible amount
  • Whether the policy is through NFIP or private insurers

On average, flood insurance through NFIP costs about $600 per year, but rates can vary.

How HANDS Can Help

At HANDS, we know navigating insurance can be overwhelming. We’re here to:

  • Help you understand your flood risk by connecting you to home insurers
  • Connect you with HANDS’ local Housing Counselors
  • Offer educational resources to help you make informed decisions

We believe in empowering homeowners through knowledge and support. If you have questions about homeowners or flood insurance, reach out to our team.

FAQ: Insurance Questions Answered by HANDS

Does renters insurance cover flood damage?

No. Renters insurance, like homeowners insurance, does not cover flood damage. You can purchase separate flood insurance for your personal belongings.

What if I can’t afford flood insurance?

In some cases, assistance programs or FEMA grants may help cover recovery costs after a declared disaster. HANDS can also help you explore options for affordable housing and protection.

My lender doesn’t require flood insurance. Should I still get it?

If you live in a moderate- or low-risk area, it might not be required—but that doesn’t mean you’re not at risk. One in five flood claims come from these areas. It’s worth considering.

How do I buy flood insurance?

You can purchase flood insurance through your insurance agent or through the National Flood Insurance Program. Policies typically take 30 days to go into effect, so don’t wait until a storm is on the way.

Will my flood insurance cover basement flooding?

It depends. Flood insurance may cover structural elements in the basement and essential systems (like your furnace or water heater), but personal belongings stored in the basement may not be covered.

Final Thoughts

Floods are the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S. — but many homeowners don’t realize they’re vulnerable until it’s too late. Homeowners insurance and flood insurance work together to protect your biggest investment. Understanding what each covers, and where the gaps are, is the first step toward peace of mind.

If you need help understanding your options or determining your risk level, HANDS is here to help. We provide the tools and guidance to keep your home—and your future—secure. Contact us today!

How to Prepare Your House for a Hurricane

Posted on by blinktech

Living in Florida can feel like a dream at times, but in reality, a good part of the calendar year is spent dealing with Mother Nature at her worst. While hurricane season is not an official season, for Floridians it truly is a fifth season that keeps us on our toes, a time when even a seemingly distant tropical storm can rapidly escalate into a significant threat. As many learned in 2024, hurricane season should be taken very seriously, as not only can the storms themselves be dangerous, but also financially devastating. Preparing your home and your family before the season gets into full swing is one thing every homeowner should do to help minimize damage and ensure safety.

So what can you do as a new homeowner to prepare? First and foremost, educate yourself on best practices and safety tips, but also follow along with this blog to help prepare your hurricane survival plan.

What to Do Before the Season Starts

With so many things to think about, it can seem daunting to even begin working on a hurricane preparedness plan. But there are some simple things to do that can kickstart your flow:

Review your insurance coverage

Insurance can be tricky, so the best foot forward is to understand your plan and what you are paying for. Discuss coverage with your agent and make sure what is important to you is covered, especially concerning hurricane force winds and potential storm surge. See if flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) could be helpful too, as standard homeowner policies often don’t cover flood damage. Also, document important items in your home via video and photograph. 

Create an emergency kit

Having a general emergency kit in your home is a good idea whether or not a hurricane is part of your living experience. You never know when you may need it, so put one together as soon as you are able to. A well-stocked emergency kit should include essential emergency supplies like water, non-perishable food, flashlights, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, and any necessary medications. A great comprehensive list can be found here: https://www.ready.gov/kit

Know your evacuation route and plan how you will execute it

Not only should you know the routes in and out of your town, but depending on the storm, you should have options. Knowing multiple ways to safety is key, ensuring several opportunities for your family. Research designated public shelter locations in your area in case you cannot stay with friends or family. Compile a list of emergency contacts, including family, friends, and important service providers, and ensure everyone in your family has access to it.

Do a thorough inspection of your roof, windows and doors

Ensure that your home is as hurricane proof as it can be. If possible, have an inspection done by a professional roofer at the beginning of every hurricane season. Having that added confirmation from a professional can alleviate stress when it comes to potential weather related damage. Also, if you don’t have storm shutters, having a game plan and supplies in place for boarding up any windows or doors before the season starts can help you avoid the desperate scramble for plywood and fasteners as a storm approaches.

Purchase a generator and stock up on supplies

Purchasing medication, fuel, toiletries, batteries, blankets, and non-perishable foods are all things to consider when there is a chance for long lasting power outages. Access to clean water can also be a concern where there is flooding, so having a good supply of water is critical. Plan for one gallon per person per day.

What to Do When a Storm is Projected Your Way

You’ve received the warning – a hurricane is projected to come your way. What do you do? Of course you will be scared and worried, but if you have planned appropriately, you are already a step ahead. The next things on your to-do list revolves around your immediate surroundings:

  1. Clear your yard and secure outdoor objects – Make sure there’s nothing that could blow around during the storm and damage your home. 
  2. Trim your trees and clean your gutters – Lessen the chance that your trees become projectile missiles and allow your gutters to do their job.
  3. Cover up windows and doors – Whether you board up windows and doors or install hurricane covers, make sure anything with glass is protected.
  4. Be ready to turn off your power and have all your devices charged.
  5. Fill clean water containers with drinking water and fill up your bathtubs for cleaning. There is a chance you will not have running water after a storm.
  6. Prepare for flood waters – If possible, have plenty of sandbags to help stave off any rising water.

What to Do During a Hurricane

At this point, if you have been ordered to evacuate, you should have already done so. After preparing and doing everything possible before the storm, the next step is yours and your family’s personal safety. If you were not ordered to evacuate, or if you have chosen to stay put, here’s what you should do:

  1. Stay indoors – Avoid going outside during the storm, and don’t try to be a weather chaser.
  2. Seek shelter in a designated safe space – If possible, take refuge in a FEMA safe room or a small interior room on the lowest level. If flood waters are an issue, seek higher ground.
  3. Stay away from windows and doors – Even if your windows are boarded up, keep a safe distance from glass to avoid injury from flying debris. 
  4. Turn off utilities – If local authorities advise, turn off gas and electricity at the main switch or valve to lessen the chance of fire danger.

What to Do After a Hurricane

The worst is over, and hopefully because of your preparation, you and your family are safe. But what’s next?

  1. Stay informed – Continue to monitor local news and weather reports. 
  2. Be aware of hazards – Watch for and avoid downed power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage. 
  3. Avoid standing water – It may be contaminated or hide dangers like sinkholes or snakes. 
  4. Document damage – Take photos and videos of any damage for insurance purposes. 
  5. Contact your insurance company – File a claim for any damage covered by your policy. 
  6. Be patient with recovery – it will take time and everyone deserves the opportunity for help.

Hurricanes are not to be taken lightly, and being prepared is the best way to protect you, your family, and your home. Through education and understanding, you can be prepared to handle even the most difficult situation. We hope this helps with your planning!

A Few Extras Just for You!

Because you can never have too many resources for help in a disaster, here are two important websites to visit while putting together your hurricane plans: