Living in Louisiana means being well-acquainted with the risks posed by hurricanes and severe storms. Among these hazards are rising waters and storm surge. Unfortunately, as New Orleanians know all too well, storm surge is one of the most destructive natural forces with waters traveling several miles inland in the aftermath of a storm. Despite the obvious risks caused by flooding, many homeowners are unsure whether their standard insurance policies provide adequate protection. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.
To protect against flooding – and yes, storm surge is a type of flooding – homeowners need to have a flood insurance policy in place. Here’s what you need to know to protect your property from rising waters.
Why You Need Flood Insurance for Storm Surge
Storm surge occurs when a hurricane or tropical storm pushes ocean water onto the shore where it then leads to rapid and extensive flooding. Because storm surge is classified as flooding, homeowners need a separate flood insurance policy to protect their properties. Traditional homeowners insurance policies won’t cover it.
Louisiana’s geography makes it especially susceptible to flooding. Heavy rains or storm surge can put even low-risk properties in harm’s way. To identify your home’s risk for flooding, you can look at FEMA’s flood maps.
What Types of Flood Insurance Policies Can You Get?
There are two main policy options for flood insurance – you can purchase a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy, which is managed by FEMA, or you can purchase private flood insurance.
On the whole, private flood insurance policies typically offer more comprehensive coverage for consumers, including higher coverage limits compared to NFIP policies. They may also cover additional living expenses if you need to temporarily relocate. Comparatively, NFIP policies have many limitations, which can prove unfavorable to consumers.
Before choosing a policy, carefully consider your options and speak with a broker who can help you decipher the details or call us with questions about insurance law in Louisiana. Keep in mind also that some policies, including NFIP policies, typically have a 30-day waiting period from the date of purchase before coverage takes effect. Private insurers may offer shorter waiting periods.
Contact Our Law Firm at Kandell, Kandell & Petrie with Questions
Determining the right insurance coverage for your home is no easy feat, but if you live in a flood-prone zone (and even if you don’t), you may need flood insurance to protect against storm surge. Call us at Kandell, Kandell & Petrie to speak to one of our claims advisors in New Orleans to learn more about the best ways to protect your property and to get help with the insurance claims process if you do experience damage.
Our legal team has been helping homeowners with their hurricane and flooding claims since 2004. If you have questions about a property or flood insurance claim in Louisiana, contact us today for answers.
