Many homeowners may believe that buying flood insurance is either a waste of money or an overpriced luxury. However, when you consider the average costs of flood insurance and compare them to flood repair costs, the truth becomes clearer.
Buying flood insurance could help save you from spending thousands of dollars (out-of-pocket) on household repairs and replacements after a flood. Water damage is no joke, and neither is the mold and mildew remediation that typically follows it.
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Be sure to check out these great ways to save on home flood insurance before it’s too late!
- Live in a Low-Risk Flood Zone
This piece of advice may be one of the most challenging ones to adhere to. After all, if you’ve purchased a home or plot of land, you’re not going to be able to snap your fingers and suddenly make it appear in a different area.
Should you discover that your property is in a high-risk flood zone, you may end spending more on flood insurance. Naturally, you’ll also need that insurance more than someone who lives in a typically dry, arid location.
Before purchasing a home or property, be sure to do your research regarding potential environmental threats. Some households are prone to forest fires and earthquakes, while others may fall prey to sinkholes and hurricanes.
Additionally, if you live in an area that occasionally floods, you may want to get your utilities well off the ground.
- Keep Your Utilities Elevated
Keeping your HVAC system, electrical panels, and other sensitive home systems well above ground level may help you see lower flood insurance rates. That’s because these systems are often the most expensive things to repair or replace after a flood.
When you choose to keep them elevated above standard flooding levels, your insurance agency can rest easy knowing that your property isn’t a massive liability. Consequently, they can offer lower rates.
- FEMA or Government Assistance
Some folks might be able to receive government assistance to help pay for flood insurance. Of course, for this to happen, a few requirements must be met. To check those out and see if you might be eligible for such services, go to betterflood.com.
- Landscape to Prevent Flooding
Are you landscaping for success? If you’ve got a large, luscious green lawn, you might not be. More worrying, if your property’s terrain descends toward your home, you’ll likely need to deal with flooding at some point.
Ensuring that your home sits at the highest elevation on your property is crucial to avoiding flood damage. You may also want to incorporate gentle slopes, plenty of thirsty vegetation, and drainage areas.
Letting your lawn grow a little taller could also help water soak into the soil and roots more quickly, reducing the amount of water sitting at the surface. Be sure to implement as many flood-prevention landscaping tips as you can.
- Browse, Compare, and Wait
Finally, you should always browse plans, compare them, and let yourself sleep on the decision. By taking the time to complete this step, you can ensure that you’re always paying the lowest price for the best coverage!
Buying Flood Insurance Has Never Been Easier or More Affordable
Hopefully, if you’ve been on the fence about buying flood insurance, this guide has helped to ease you in the right direction. After all, you don’t need to spend a fortune on flood insurance to protect your home from unexpected water damage.
Living in a low-risk flood zone, keeping utilities well-elevated, landscaping for flood prevention, and shopping around are all excellent ways to save on flood insurance. Of course, if you live in a risky area, a FEMA grant may also help.
