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Case Study

The Hidden Risk of Living Near a Creek in Avondale

How a low-cost policy prevented financial disaster from rainfall flooding

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A Young Family in a "Low-Risk" Neighborhood

The Chen family bought their first home in Avondale (32205).

Their home was not in a high-risk flood zone (Zone X),  so their lender didn’t require flood insurance.

They were located about half a mile from a small, unassuming creek that wound through the neighborhood.

The Problem

The Misconception that "No Requirement" Means "No Risk"

The Chens, like many homeowners in Zone X, opted not to buy flood insurance. They assumed that since the bank didn’t require it, the risk was negligible. They were unaware that their proximity to the creek, while not enough to put them in a high-risk zone, still exposed them to pluvial (heavy rainfall) flooding.

This became terrifyingly clear after a series of intense summer thunderstorms caused the creek to overflow its banks for the first time in decades. Several inches of water entered their home, causing over $40,000 in damage to their floors, drywall, and furniture. They were devastated to learn that their standard homeowners insurance would not cover a single penny.

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The Guide

The Flood Insurance Guru Offers Proactive Protection

(This is a prospective case study, showing the value of proactive advice)

During their homebuying process, the Chens could have sought advice from The Flood Insurance Guru. We would have acted as their guide to understanding true flood risk, not just the bank’s requirements.

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The 3 Step Plan

A Simple, Affordable Path to Total Protection

This process outlines how your user can achieve their desired outcome by working with you. The plan should be simple, skimmable, and demonstrate an ease of use.

Step 1

Identify the Hidden Risk

In our Flood Risk Assessment, we would have immediately noted the Distance to Water (the creek) as a potential risk factor, even in Zone X. We would have explained that heavy rainfall events are becoming more frequent (Flood Frequency) and can overwhelm local drainage systems.
Step 2

Present a Low-Cost Solution

Because the home was in Flood Zone X, it was eligible for a very low-cost policy. We would have presented them with a private insurance option called a "Preferred Risk Policy."
Step 3

Frame the Value

We would have explained that for a small annual cost, they could completely protect themselves from a financially catastrophic event.
The Success (That Could Have Been)

Total Peace of Mind for a Low Price

For an annual premium of around $450, the Chens could have purchased a policy with $150,000 in building coverage and $50,000 in contents coverage.

When the flood occurred, instead of facing $40,000 in out-of-pocket costs, they would have filed a claim, paid their deductible, and had the repairs and replacements fully covered. The small annual investment would have saved them from a major financial crisis and immense stress.

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The Failure Avoided

The Chens fell into the most common trap for homeowners in Jacksonville: believing that if the bank doesn’t require flood insurance, they don’t need it. They failed to understand that over 25% of all flood claims occur in low-to-moderate risk zones like Zone X. Their story is a painful lesson in the difference between mandatory requirements and actual risk.

Don’t let a "low-risk" zone lull you into a false sense of security. Let us assess your true flood risk today.

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