Flood Insurance in Tampa, FL
There is a simple fact that many people in the Tampa, Florida area don't realize when they buy their home insurance policies: without flood insurance, Tampa residents are at risk of damage and losses to their dwelling that are not covered! Maybe you're in what is considered a "low-risk" area and are not required to carry it. However, even if your house is built on higher ground and in a safer area, your personal property may still be at risk. With hurricane season lasting six months of the year (June through November), there is always a chance of sustained heavy rainfall, flash flooding or dam/levee breaks causing damage to your house. If you still think your home is safe, consider this fact: roughly 25% of all flood insurance claim reporting occurs in "low risk" areas.
What happens if my home is damaged by flooding and I'm not covered?
There are two possible outcomes for residents of Tampa with losses from flooding and no flood insurance: Tampa homeowners can hope that the federal government will declare their community a disaster area, in which case there may be financial relief; or they will have to replace their losses out of their pocket. Because of the financial and emotional strain it can cause for families, the best plan is to get covered with flood insurance.
How do I obtain flood insurance?
In Florida, Flood insurance is not part of a standard homeowner insurance policy. It can only be purchased from the federal government through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In order for you to obtain it, you must go through a licensed local insurance agent. At Cornerstone, our Tampa insurance agency has years of experience helping homeowners in south Florida to obtain flood insurance through the NFIP. We are fully licensed and able to find you the best coverage at the best possible rates for your dwelling. We will walk you through each step of the application process and we will always be there to help if you ever need to file a claim.
Important Note: Unlike most other types of insurance products, flood insurance coverage does not take effect immediately! There is a 30 day waiting period (with some exceptions) for the coverage to go into effect for flood insurance. Tampa residents must keep this in mind when they purchase their policy. So, if there is a major hurricane or flash flooding in the forecast, you are probably already too late to cover your dwelling for this particular storm. It is important that you buy your insurance well in advance of hurricane season so you will be ready in the event of a disaster.
To request a free flood insurance quote, call Tampa's Cornerstone Insurance Agency at 1 (877) 277-2715, or fill out our quick quote form at the top of this page.
