Flood Insurance

Could you be Under Water?

   Did you know that your home can flood in as little as 1 inch of water? Or that your car can be carried away by as little as 2 feet of flood water? Since you live where it rains, you are subject to the possibility of flooding. And your Home insurance policy will not cover it! I am serious. Even if you have all the bells and whistles of additional coverage on your policy, you do not have flood coverage on your home insurance policy. You only have flood coverage if you have bought a Flood Insurance Policy.

    Fast melting snow, severe storms and heavy rainfall can cause flooding far inland, as those of us in Texas are experiencing right now! People living outside of the high risk flood areas file more than 20% of the claims in the National Flood Insurance program. Those same claims receive 1/3 of the disaster assistance for flooding. So it is not just the high risk areas filing the flood claims. The average residential flood claim is around $30,000. But this doesn't include the claims from Catastrophes such as the flooding we are seeing in Texas.  

   You can obtain a policy through the federal government under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program or you can go through private insurers. Private insurance may offer different limits of coverage and premiums based on the coverage and deductibles.  There are various levels of coverage and deductibles to choose from. You will have a separate deductible for both the building and the contents.  

   A flood policy will cover the building and the contents. Personal property coverage is optional, so be sure to discuss what you want with your agent. Flood policies will pay out as long as two or more properties are flooded. Premiums usually start at $300 annually and go up from there, depending on the amount of coverage and the risk factors of the area. If you are in a high risk zone, your mortgage company will require a flood policy. If you are in a moderate-low risk area, a flood policy is optional. Of course, high risk areas will have higher premiums than the moderate-low risk areas.

   Talk with your insurance agent to decide if this coverage would be a good fit for you. There is often a 30 day wait period for any flood policy to take effect, so you can't just buy a flood policy that will go into effect today. But if you are closing on a home and you have a mortgage, then the 30 day wait period will be waived.

Questions about insurance or need a quote? 

Visit Brockman Premier Insurance

Or email your questions to us!

Spring Maintenance - sticky doors and windows

April showers bring... Sticky Doors?

So the cold is finally moving out. Spring is moving in. What is that old saying? "April showers bring May flowers." Those showers can also cause doors and windows to stick. The cold winter has more than likely caused damage to the wood. Then spring rains come along and the wood swells, causing doors and windows to stick because they are no longer the right size.This can be irritating and cause further damage.

What can you do for a sticky door or window?
*Many times, they are easy fixes. Start by marking where the door or window is sticking. Start with some sand paper and sand down the area a bit. Often, this is all you will need to do. If this doesn't help, you will need to take the door or window off. You will want to prop it securely on a flat surface. Use a hand plane (which can be bought at any hardware store) and remove any excess material. Start small- you don't want to remove too much. The door will shrink during the summer dry times and then the gap will be too wide. That won't help you much- and it will be much harder to fix! Some of you DIY lifers may want to go for that Power Plane- I would rethink that option. Usually a hand plane will be all the power you will need. (So stow your pride on this one!)
* You can often avoid the sticking in the first place by making sure you doors and windows are sealed with a good coat of paint- don't forget the top and the bottom. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't need protection!
   Keeping your home in good condition is a great way to keep your insurance costs down. Damage can lead to claims, which can lead to higher premiums, both with your current carrier and with other carriers when you decide to shop and possibly switch carriers. It makes no sense to pay higher premiums if you can avoid it!

If you have any questions or need a quote, please call 214-592-0859 or 1-877-987-8683
or  email us: Brockman Premier Insurance.
We would love to keep you insured!