10 Things You Need to Know About Water Damage

 By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy Pixabay

As I write this, California just finished getting hit by yet another powerful winter storm that's spawning massive floods. Since we Floridians aren't immune from thunderstorms and seasonal flooding, I thought I'd take the time today to explain the ins and outs of water damage.  That's because while homeowners'policies cover some forms of water damage, they exclude others.  Water damage can come in various shapes and sizes. It can also cause collateral damage that needs to be properly documented so you can get reimbursed.  Knowing what's what when you wind up ankle deep in water that has no place being in your home can mean the difference between making your property whole again or going down with the ship.  With that in mind, here are ten tips to help you make sense when your home is suddenly sopping wet.

10 Ways to Prepare Your Home for a Flood

 By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy Pixabay

Most everyone in north Florida breathed a sigh of relief after Tropical Storm Elsa blew through town last week.  While there were some downed trees and powerlines, it wasn’t nearly as hair raising a storm as Hurricane Irma was a few years back.  While the high wind and torrential rain that comes along with a named storm leave many people quaking in their boots when the weatherman tells them one is headed their way, what most homeowners don’t realize is that when it comes to severe damage, there’s another peril that can be unleashed whenever severe weather rears its ugly head.  I’m talking about flooding.  We insurance agents know that when it comes to damage claims, flood damage trumps wind and rain damage by far.  To help you get prepared for the next named storm, I thought I’d give you ten was to prepare your property for a potential flood.

Florida Legislature Addresses Sea Level Rise

 By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy Pixabay

With 1,350 miles of coastline, you’d think that Florida would be bullish when it came to addressing coastal flooding caused by global warming.  Yet until recently, not only did the state legislature do little to address the fears of those who live near the coast, but it refused to entertain discussion about sea level rise.  All that changed when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed two bills into law last week that pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in flood control projects.  While some who live near the coast have said it’s about time, others who’ve seen water in their neighborhoods rise on clear days during high tide think it’s too little too late.  So severe is the threat of flooding in some coastal communities that three Florida insurers recently announced they wouldn’t renew some 53,000 homeowner’s policies.  More than an inconvenience, this has left many homeowners scrambling to find coverage just as hurricane season begins.  If you live on or near the coast and are wondering what you should do to protect your property from flooding, here are my top-10 tips.