If you own your house outright or your lender does not require that you purchase flood insurance, you might still want to secure this protection.
Twenty percent of flood insurance claims are made by homeowners who live in areas that are considered low-risk for flood, and losses can be extensive even in low-risk zones. In a 2,000-square-foot home, just two inches of water can cost tens of thousands of dollars in property damage. And, remember, flood damage is not covered by homeowners insurance.
A preferred-risk policy—that is, a flood insurance policy designed for homeowners who live in lower-risk flood zones—costs about $1 per day. But don’t wait to purchase flood insurance until it looks like you might experience flooding. Flood insurance normally requires a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect.
