Homeowners, renters, and business owners are urged to understand their flood risk and insurance coverage following higher precipitation levels and a high level of soil saturation throughout the Missouri River Basin this past fall and consider insuring their property for flood hazards. Your home and the belongings inside are symbolic of years of work and sacrifice. Most homeowner’s standard policies do not cover damage from floods.
According to Floodsmart.gov, flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States, affecting every state. More than 20 percent of flood claims come from properties outside high-risk flood zones. Understand your risk. Check the FEMA Flood Map here:
To protect yourself and your property from future flooding, insure your property. Don’t wait for the next flood to buy insurance protection — invest in a flood insurance policy. In most cases it takes 30 days before coverage takes effect.
Homeowners and renters insurance typically do not cover flood damage. If you purchased flood insurance as required by the terms of your mortgage or home improvement loan, it may only cover the building’s structure and not the contents, such as furniture and appliances. Homeowners and renters should obtain contents coverage.
When purchasing flood insurance be informed. It’s important to ask about what will and won’t be covered. For helpful questions to ask your agent about flood insurance, visit https://www.floodsmart.gov/how/what-to-know-before-buying-a-flood-insurance-policy.
Residents and business owners in the City of Bismarck and Extraterritorial Zone (ETA) can benefit from a reduction in flood insurance premiums because of the city’s active participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). In addition to lower premiums, the CRS program helps to reduce the threat of damage due to flooding. As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions that meet the goals of the CRS program.
Visit with an insurance agent today about purchasing flood insurance. Your homeowners, renters, or business insurance agent may be able to help you. Contact your Insurance Agent for questions and information regarding rates and coverage, or contact Floodsmart.gov at (800) 427-4661.
Governor Burgum has proclaimed Jan. 27 – 31, 2020, Flood Awareness in the State of North Dakota. Flood Awareness Week is intended to educate North Dakotans as to the potential risk to life and property from flooding, to urge the public to prepare their homes and communities for floods and to encourage property owners to purchase flood insurance. View the proclamation here. View the Governor’s video message encouraging homeowners to purchase flood insurance here.
For more information visit www.bismarcknd.gov/floodresources.