Can Your Home Insurance Carrier Require Flood Insurance?

Everyday we hear from mortgage companies that are requiring flood insurance. It's not uncommon in fact it's required for anyone that has a loan through a federally backed mortgage and is in a special flood area?

So what exactly is a special flood area?

When we are talking about special flood areas. We are talking about areas that fall within the 100 year flood zone. This includes zones that begin with A and V.

So we know mortgage companies can require flood insurance, but what about home insurance companies?

Yes you heard that right.

Can home insurance companies require flood insurance?

Many home insurance carriers will not insure a home unless it has flood insurance on it.

This requirement generally applies to properties in the special flood hazard area.

Some home insurance companies will require you to put the home and flood insurance together in a special flood hazard area.

You want to be cautious here because it could cost you significantly on premiums.

If it is a National Flood Insurance Program Policy then the rates should be the same no matter where you go. However if it is a private flood insurance policy rates could be significantly different.

Recently we had a customer come to us that was being required to put the home and flood insurance together. This particular home insurance company only went through the National Flood Insurance Program for their flood insurance.

This was going to cost the customer a savings of $2500 a year on flood insurance simply to save $50 a year on home insurance.

So when you are looking at home insurance options you want to make sure you get these questions answered before signing up with a new policy.

So if you have questions about if it is beneficial to keep your home and flood insurance together, then click here. You can also check out our knowledge base article system here or our Youtube channel.

Remember we have an educational background in flood mitigation. This means we are here to help you understand your flood risks, flood insurance, and mitigating your property long term.