Veterans Flood Insurance in 2023 — Do You Need It?

“Less than 20% Of U.S. homeowners have flood Insurance, while approximately 40% of flood damage claims occur outside the flood hot zones.”

What makes it veterans flood insurance?

A better question might be, do veteran homeowners need flood insurance? We’re a property and casualty insurance company focused on serving our veterans, and a provider of veterans flood insurance policies, so we get that question a lot.

As a trusted advisor to our nation’s active duty service members and veterans for over 135 years, we’re happy to provide expert context and insight to answer this question and more. Before diving in, though, let’s look at what FEMA says about flood insurance.

“Knowing you can recover brings peace of mind. No home is completely safe from potential flooding. When just one inch of water in a home can cost more than $25,000 in damage, flood insurance can be the difference between recovery and financial devastation.”

That’s an eye-opening statistic. And we also agree with the part about peace of mind.

Another interesting statistic is that less than 20% Of U.S. homeowners have flood Insurance, while approximately 40% of flood damage claims occur outside the flood hot zones.

But what about your unique home? After all, insurance is just a method of transferring risk to your insurance company through a premium and a deductible amount.

At Armed Forces Insurance, we help veterans like you evaluate that risk-benefit equation every day. So let’s consider flood insurance from your perspective.

What does veterans flood insurance coverage mean to homeowners?

In a nutshell, flood insurance is part of your risk management strategy as a homeowner.

Your premium, coverage and deductible are the three most obvious metrics in your flood insurance policy, and these important parameters are interdependent. They will fluctuate based on the level of coverage you opt for and your home’s location risk factors.

More about that in a moment.

Before we go any further into flood insurance policy analytics, let’s start by defining what a flood is. Most insurance policies use the definition provided by FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program, which states:

In simple terms, a flood is an excess of water on land that is normally dry, affecting two or more acres of land or two or more properties.

Now let’s dig a little deeper.

So what’s covered and what isn’t covered by flood insurance?

Typically, a flood insurance policy provides loss and repair/replacement coverage for both the structure of the home and some level of personal property, for water damage related to flooding.

Flood insurance typically covers these items inside your home:

• Appliances, such as refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers
• Carpet and flooring (excluding basements)
• Personal property, furniture, clothing, and electronics
• Electrical and plumbing systems
• Heating and air conditioning units

These types of damages are typically NOT covered:

• Damage from sewer line backups or to your sump-pump
• Vehicles
• Cash and jewelry
• Swimming pools, outdoor hot tubs, decks and patios
• Landscaping

These lists are high-level and certainly don’t address all potential coverage scenarios. As your personal, trusted risk management advisor, our team can help you calculate an optimal risk-reward balance based on your unique circumstances.

So is flood insurance required?

If you live in a high-risk region for flooding, the NFIP points out that your mortgage may require you to have a flood insurance policy.

If you’re not in a high-risk zone, you should still consider emerging flood risks in your region and explore flood insurance policy options. Depending on where you live, and your risk profile, a flood insurance policy may or may not make financial sense for you and your family.

“When you consider that the average flood claim payout from the National Flood Insurance Program is approximately $52K, flood insurance is definitely worth considering.”

According to FEMA, the average cost of flood insurance in the U.S. is around $700 per year. It’s important to note, however, that premiums will depend on a number of circumstances. But when you consider that the average flood claim payout from the National Flood Insurance Program is approximately $52,000, flood insurance is definitely worth considering.

Armed Forces Insurance: your trusted veterans flood insurance advisor

Armed Forces Insurance has been a trusted advisor to American armed forces service members for more than 135 years. We’re not a giant corporate skyscraper full of slick insurance executives. We’re a small company headquartered just down the road from Fort Leavenworth in Kansas. We know each other, and our customers know us. If you’re looking for a someone you can trust to shoot you straight and help you protect your home and property, check out our flood insurance page.

Learn more about flood insurance:

Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Guide

National Flood Insurance Program: Who’s Required to Have Flood Insurance?