I know there’s been a lot of flooding in the area lately, and with climate change, it’s likely to get worse. I don’t live in a flood zone, but I’m wondering if it’s still worth getting flood insurance just to be safe. Anyone here have experience with flood insurance for homes that aren’t in a flood zone?
There was an article about changes to FEMA’s flood insurance guidelines here.
Absolutely! Our basement never flooded before, but now it’s getting water at least once a year, and we’re up on a hill. We’ve been in the house for 30 years, but the water only started about 10 years ago. Climate change is real, and homeowners insurance doesn’t usually cover water damage. Adding flood insurance shouldn’t cost too much and can really help. We lost $6k replacing our furnace after Hurricane Ida.
I couldn’t read the article because of the paywall, but just in case it’s not covered there—flood maps are really out of date, and the situation is only getting worse. What used to be considered 100-year flood zones are now more like 30-year flood zones. Bucks County has some publicly available GIS layers you can use to get a better idea of flood risks around your property. You can check them out here.
@Nari
I read somewhere that FEMA’s new guidelines are increasing premiums even for homes not in traditional flood zones. Some areas are seeing rates skyrocket. It’s frustrating because many of us were never considered at risk before
Afton said:
@Nari
I read somewhere that FEMA’s new guidelines are increasing premiums even for homes not in traditional flood zones. Some areas are seeing rates skyrocket. It’s frustrating because many of us were never considered at risk before
No worries! I was just pointing out that the river is tidal up to a point near Trenton, so its depth can fluctuate with the tides up to that area.
Definitely yes.
Even if you’re not in a flood zone, you can still get flood insurance. The NFIP offers a preferred policy for areas that aren’t designated as flood zones. It can cover your home up to $250k and includes up to $100k in contents coverage. Depending on where you live, you’re looking at around $600-$700 a year with a low deductible, which is a lot cheaper than what people in flood zones pay ($2k-$3k or more). Hopefully, the new NFIP guidelines will bring better rates and options.