Flood Insurance in Cullman Alabama:

Everything You Need to Know

Cullman, Alabama is no stranger to flooding. Located in the northern part of the state, the area is prone to heavy rainfall and flash floods. With the potential for damage to homes and businesses, flood insurance is an important consideration for those living in the area.

Flood insurance is a type of insurance policy that covers damage caused by flooding. Unlike standard homeowners insurance policies, flood insurance is not typically included and must be purchased separately. In Cullman, flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and private insurance companies. It is important to note that there is typically a 30-day waiting period before the policy goes into effect, so it is important to plan ahead.

 

Understanding Flood Insurance in Alabama

Flood insurance is a type of insurance that protects homeowners and renters from losses due to flood damage. It is important to understand that standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage caused by floods. Flood insurance is a separate policy that must be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer.

In Cullman, Alabama, flood insurance is particularly important due to the city's location near the banks of the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River. The area is prone to flooding, and homeowners and renters should be aware of their options for flood insurance.

2023 Flood Insurance in Cullman, Alabama: Protect Your Home from Flooding

The NFIP offers flood insurance policies for homeowners, renters, and businesses in Cullman. These policies provide coverage for damage to the structure of the building as well as its contents. It is important to note that there is a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins, so it is important to purchase flood insurance well in advance of any potential flooding.

Flood insurance premiums are based on a number of factors, including the property's location, the type of coverage needed, and the value of the property and its contents. Homeowners and renters should work with their insurance agents to determine the appropriate coverage and premium for their specific situation.

 

In summary, flood insurance is a crucial component of protecting your home or rental property in Cullman, Alabama. Homeowners and renters should be aware of their options for flood insurance, work with their insurance agent to determine the appropriate coverage and purchase flood insurance well in advance of any potential flooding.

Why Flood Insurance in Cullman Alabama?

Cullman, Alabama is a beautiful city that is located in the northern part of the state near Smith Lake. It is known for its rich history, beautiful scenery, and friendly residents. However, like many other cities in the United States, Cullman is also prone to flooding. This is why flood insurance is so important for homeowners and business owners in the area.

2023 Flood Insurance in Cullman, Alabama: Protect Your Home from Flooding

Flood insurance is a type of insurance that is designed to protect property owners in the event of a flood. It covers damage to buildings and personal property caused by flooding. This can include damage from storm surges, heavy rainfall, and other types of flooding.

In Cullman, flooding is a common occurrence and recent flooding events in 2023 have left many people in a financial hole. The city is located near several rivers and creeks, which can easily overflow during heavy rainstorms. In addition, the city is located in a low-lying area, which makes it more susceptible to flooding.

2023 Flood Insurance in Cullman, Alabama: Protect Your Home from Flooding

Without flood insurance, property owners in Cullman could face significant financial losses if their property is damaged by flooding. Flood damage can be expensive to repair, and it can take a long time to recover from the damage. This is why flood insurance is so important for property owners in the area.

In conclusion, if you own property in Cullman, Alabama, it is important to consider purchasing flood insurance. This type of insurance can provide you with peace of mind and financial protection in the event of a flood.

Coverage of Flood Insurance for Homeowners

Flood insurance provides coverage for damages caused by flooding, which is not covered under standard homeowners insurance policies. In Cullman, Alabama, flood insurance is particularly important due to the area's susceptibility to flash floods and heavy rains.

2023 Flood Insurance in Cullman, Alabama: Protect Your Home from Flooding

Building Property Coverage

Building property coverage or structure of your house is designed to protect the physical structure of a home or business from flood damage. This includes the foundation, walls, electrical and plumbing systems, and built-in appliances. The coverage limit for building property is $250,000 for residential properties and $500,000 for commercial properties.

2023 Flood Insurance in Cullman, Alabama: Protect Your Home from Flooding

It's important to note that flood insurance does not cover every type of water damage. For example, if water damage is caused by a leaky pipe, it would not be covered by flood insurance. However, if the water damage is caused by a flood, it would be covered under the building property coverage.

Personal Property Coverage

Personal property coverage is designed to protect the contents of a home or business from flood damage. This includes furniture, clothing, electronics, and other personal belongings. The coverage limit for personal property is $100,000 for residential properties and $500,000 for commercial properties.

2023 Flood Insurance in Cullman, Alabama: Protect Your Home from Flooding

It's important to keep an inventory of personal belongings in case of a flood. This will make it easier to file a claim and ensure that all damaged items are accounted for. Additionally, some high-value items such as artwork or jewelry may require additional coverage beyond the standard personal property limit.

See If Flood Insurance is Required

Overall, flood insurance can provide peace of mind and financial protection in the event of a flood. It's important for residents and business owners in Cullman, Alabama to consider purchasing flood insurance to protect their property and belongings.

How to Buy Flood Insurance in Cullman AL

 

Where to buy flood insurance in Cullman Alabama

Flood insurance can generally be purchased through any property and casualty insurance agent in the Cullman Alabama area. However, it is recommended that you speak to an independent insurance agency that offers the National Flood Insurance Program and at least 3 different private flood insurance options. You want to ask them the following things

  • What is my flood risk
  • What is my flood zone
  • How much flood insurance coverage do I need
  • What is the average cost of flood insurance in Cullman Al

In case they can't answer these questions for you we are going to give you the answers below.

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Private Insurance Companies 

When looking to buy flood insurance in Cullman AL, individuals have the option to purchase coverage through private insurance companies. These companies offer policies that are separate from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and may provide additional coverage options.

2023 Flood Insurance in Cullman, Alabama: Protect Your Home from Flooding

To purchase flood insurance through a private insurance company, individuals can contact their local insurance agent or do research online to find a company that offers flood insurance in their area. It is important to compare coverage options and prices from multiple companies to ensure that the policy meets individual needs and budgets.

Some private insurance companies may require a flood zone determination to be conducted before issuing a policy. This determination will assess the risk of flooding in the area and may impact the cost of the policy.

Flood Insurance Guru | Private Flood Course

National Flood Insurance Program

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a federal program that provides flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners in participating communities. To purchase flood insurance through the NFIP, individuals can contact their insurance agent or visit the NFIP website.

The NFIP offers both building and content coverage, and NFIP policies can be purchased separately or as a package. The cost of the policy will depend on factors such as the property's flood zone, the amount of coverage needed, and the deductible chosen.

2023 Flood Insurance in Cullman, Alabama: Protect Your Home from Flooding

It is important to note that there is typically a 30-day waiting period before a flood insurance policy becomes effective. This means that individuals should purchase flood insurance before a flood is imminent to ensure that they are adequately protected.

In conclusion, whether purchasing flood insurance through a private insurance company or the National Flood Insurance Program, individuals in Cullman AL should carefully consider their options and choose a policy that provides adequate coverage for their needs.

Flood Insurance Claims Process

Filing a flood insurance claim can be a daunting task, but it is essential to ensure timely reimbursement for damages and proper payout caused by flooding. Here is a brief overview of the flood insurance claims process in Cullman, Alabama:

  1. Report the Flood Damage: The first step in filing a flood insurance claim is to report the damage to the insurance company. The policyholder should contact their insurance company as soon as possible to report the damage. In most situations, you have 60 days to provide proof of loss letter. The insurance company will assign an adjuster to assess the damage and determine the amount of compensation and repair costs.

  2. Document the Damage: The policyholder should document the damage by taking photographs or videos of the affected property. They should also make a list of damaged items and their estimated value. This information will be required when filing the claim and help you feel confident that you pick the right coverages you need. If you have NFIP coverage payouts may vary depending on the amount of coverage.

  3. Meet with the Adjuster: The adjuster will schedule a meeting with the policyholder to assess the damage in person. During the meeting, the adjuster will inspect the property and document the damage. The policyholder should provide any additional information or documentation that may be required.

  4. Receive the Claim Payment: Once the adjuster has completed the assessment, the insurance company will determine the amount of compensation and issue the payment. The payment may be made in one lump sum or in installments, depending on the policy terms.

It is important to note that flood insurance claims can take time to process, especially in the event of a widespread flood. The policyholder should stay in contact with their insurance company and provide any additional information or documentation that may be required. It is also important to note that NFIP coverage does not include living expenses.

Flood Insurance Rates in Cullman, AL

Flood insurance rates in Cullman AL can be cost-effective depending on several factors. So what is the cost of flood insurance? Well, let's look at The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which sets the rates for flood insurance policies. The rates are determined based on the property location, flood risk, and the type of coverage selected.

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For properties located in high-risk flood zones, the flood insurance rates in Cullman AL are typically higher than those located in low-risk zones. The NFIP uses flood maps to determine the flood risk of a property. The maps show the likelihood of flooding in a particular area. Property owners can use the maps to determine their flood risk and the corresponding flood insurance rates.

Find My Flood Risk & Flood Rate

The type of coverage selected also affects the flood insurance rates in Cullman AL. The NFIP offers two types of coverage: building property coverage and personal property coverage. Building property coverage protects the physical structure of the building, while personal property coverage protects the contents of the building.

The following table shows the average flood insurance rates in Cullman AL for building property coverage and personal property coverage:

Type of Coverage Average Annual Premium
Building Property $1,000 - $3,000
Personal Property $100 - $300

It is important to note that flood insurance rates in Cullman AL can vary significantly from the average rates listed above. Property owners should contact an insurance agent to get a personalized quote based on their specific property location, flood risk, and coverage needs.

2023 Flood Insurance in Cullman, Alabama: Protect Your Home from Flooding

Private Flood Insurance in Cullman Alabama

Private flood insurance markets in the Smith Lake area or even the Athens or Huntsville Alabama area range based on the flood risk of the property. You may get one rate in a low-risk flood zone and a different rate in a high-risk flood zone or moderate-risk area.

Flood insurance rates with private flood insurance may range from $300 a year to $3000 a year. Is private flood insurance the best flood insurance in Cullman Alabama?

2023 Flood Insurance in Cullman, Alabama: Protect Your Home from Flooding

It depends on the coverage and pricing you can get. You want to make sure to look at the policy jacket this is the full policy and look at any exclusions. Many flood insurance policies only cover surface water and exclude coverages for basements many times.

You should definitely at least consider flood insurance from a private flood insurance company as many homeowners are unaware that it is an option.

2023 Flood Insurance in Cullman, Alabama: Protect Your Home from Flooding

Get the flood insurance quotes from 3 different private flood insurance companies and compare rates with the National Flood Insurance Program. Remember all flood insurance policies are done on an annual cost basis. This means things like 6-month rates on auto insurance do not exist.

5 Tips When Purchasing Flood Insurance

Flood Zones in Cullman AL

Cullman County is located in North Alabama and has a diverse topography that includes mountains, valleys, and rivers. Due to its location, Cullman is vulnerable to flooding caused by heavy rainfall, flash floods, and riverine flooding.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has designated flood zones in Cullman County based on the likelihood and severity of flooding. Property owners in these zones are required to purchase flood insurance if they have a federally-backed mortgage.

2023 Flood Insurance in Cullman, Alabama: Protect Your Home from Flooding

The flood zones in Cullman County are classified as A, AE, AH, AO, and X. The A, AE, AH, and AO zones are considered high-risk areas and are more likely to experience flooding. The X zone is considered low-risk, but property owners are still encouraged to purchase flood insurance.

The following table provides a summary of the flood zones in Cullman County:

Flood Zone Description
A Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding and a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage
AE Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding and a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage. These areas also have additional hazards associated with wave action
AH Areas with a 1% annual chance of shallow flooding (depths of 1-3 feet) and a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage
AO Areas with a 1% annual chance of shallow flooding (depths of 1-3 feet) and a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage. These areas also have additional hazards associated with sheet flow
X Areas with a minimal flood risk

Property owners in high-risk areas are required to purchase flood insurance, but those in low-risk areas are not. However, it is important to note that flooding can occur in any area, and property owners are encouraged to purchase flood insurance even if they are not required to.

2023 Flood Insurance in Cullman, Alabama: Protect Your Home from Flooding

In conclusion, Cullman County has several flood zones designated by FEMA based on the likelihood and severity of flooding. Property owners in high-risk areas are required to purchase flood insurance, while those in low-risk areas are not. It is important for property owners to be aware of their flood zone and to consider purchasing flood insurance to protect their property from potential flood damage.

FAQs on Flood Insurance in Cullman AL

Floods are a common occurrence in Cullman AL, and it is important to have flood insurance to protect your property. Here are some frequently asked questions about flood insurance in Cullman AL:

  • What is flood insurance? Flood insurance is a type of insurance that protects your property and belongings from damage caused by flooding. It is not included in standard homeowners or renters insurance policies and must be purchased separately.

  • Do I need flood insurance? If you live in a flood-prone area in Cullman AL, it is highly recommended to have flood insurance. Even if you do not live in a high-risk area, floods can still occur and cause significant damage.

  • How much does flood insurance cost? The cost of flood insurance varies depending on several factors, including the level of risk in your area, the value of your property, and the type of coverage you choose. It is best to contact a licensed insurance agent to get a quote.

    2023 Flood Insurance in Cullman, Alabama: Protect Your Home from Flooding
  • What does flood insurance cover? Flood insurance covers damage to your property and belongings caused by flooding. This includes damage to the structure of your home, electrical and plumbing systems, appliances, furniture, and personal belongings. It may also cover the cost of temporary lodging if your home is uninhabitable due to flood damage.

  • What does flood insurance not cover? Flood insurance does not cover damage caused by other types of water damage, such as a burst pipe or sewer backup. It also does not cover damage to your car, as that is covered under a separate auto insurance policy.

  • How do I purchase flood insurance? Flood insurance can be purchased through a licensed insurance agent. It is important to purchase flood insurance before a flood occurs, as there is typically a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect.

It is important to have flood insurance to protect your property in Cullman AL. Contact a licensed insurance agent to learn more about your options for flood insurance coverage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, flood insurance is an important consideration for homeowners and business owners in Cullman, Alabama. While it is not required by law, it is highly recommended to protect against the financial impact of flood damage.

Homeowners should consider the risk of flooding in their area and evaluate the cost of flood insurance compared to the potential cost of flood damage. Business owners should also consider the impact of flood damage on their operations and finances, and ensure that their insurance policy covers any potential losses.

2023 Flood Insurance in Cullman, Alabama: Protect Your Home from Flooding

It is important to note that flood insurance policies have specific limitations and exclusions, and may not cover all types of flood damage. Homeowners and business owners should carefully review their policies and understand the coverage and limitations.

Overall, flood insurance is a valuable investment for those living or operating a business in flood-prone areas such as Cullman, Alabama. It provides peace of mind and financial protection in the event of a flood and can help to minimize the impact of flood damage on individuals and businesses.

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Better watch out and bring out your umbrella with you if you're in Alabama. This may get rough soon!

Alabama is expected to receive rain starting Thursday, February 3rd, and until Friday, February 4th. This is pretty normal if you'd think about it however there are some flooding concerns that may be seen during this time.

Alabama Faces a Potential Flood Event in 2022

In today's blog, we want to talk about this weather event in Alabama and the flood concerns arising from it.

Heavy Rain Brings Higher Waters

Alabama is up in arms as weather forecasts expect heavy rainfall to drop on the state. This heavy rainfall is expected to be averaging 2 to 4 inches of rain and will persist from Thursday to Friday as reported by the National Weather Service (NWS). Flood watches are being sent out already since we are already expecting 3 to 6 inches of heavy rain getting dumped on Alabama just for the night of February 3rd. This means that flash flooding has an up to 10% chance of happening across the state.

This event is also expected to have some major storms as seen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) which places the south and south-central parts of the state at a marginal risk for severe weather this Thursday.

Alabama Faces a Potential Flood Event in 2022Photo courtesy of NOAA

This puts cities Mobile, Montgomery, Greenville, and Tuscaloosa at a high chance of facing an isolated major storm in the next two days. These types of storms usually create the biggest concerns are damaging wind gusts, which could take down trees and knock out power, and tornadoes.

After Friday (February 4th), the rain will begin to move out however it doesn't really mean that everything ends there since there are chances of additional rain happening during the weekends because the cold air will be rushing behind.

Flood Concerns

One of the biggest concerns that we should be aware of is that this type of weather event will surely create big flood threats and increase the overall flood risk for the whole state in the next two days.

This ranges from what we call a pluvial flood, where collected water has nowhere else to go so it starts to pile up and inundate the area. This isn't really impossible considering that we still haven't moved out of the winter season. During this time, we expect the ground to be oversaturated which generally means that it won't be able to take in as much water as it should.

Another reason why flooding may occur from a life-threatening storm surge as water levels rise due to the precipitation. This is most likely to happen in coastal Alabama like Mobile City. Generally, this means that we might see a cocktail of floods as all three types may occur during this weather event: pluvial, fluvial, and coastal flooding.

Alabama Faces a Potential Flood Event in 2022

Fluvial flooding is only different from pluvial because the source of the floods comes from a water source like a river, lake, pond, creek, and such. Generally, this type of flood has a very strong flow to it and most of the time can easily damage properties along its path.

Other than these flood concerns, when that rain starts to happen, it's most likely that roads and bridges are going to be slippier than ever. This is why we always remind people to not drive into standing water or flood, or even during a rain event like this if it's not really necessary. We don't want to be dark and grim, but most of the casualties and injuries that happen in times like this are located and involve roads.

Why Flood Insurance is Important

When it comes to floods, most people would say that they wouldn't want to leave their properties unattended because something might happen to them. This same thinking causes a lot of trouble for these property owners when water starts to inundate the property.

Flood insurance can really help you cover for this flood damage and flood loss that may occur during a time like this. More importantly, you get peace of mind that you will still have a home to go back to even after a flood.

You have two options when it comes to flood insurance in Alabama: the federal-backed National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and its new Risk Rating 2.0, and Private Flood Insurance. Let's talk about these two.

NFIP

The federal flood insurance is gearing towards a fingerprint of flood risk for properties that get a policy from them since rates will be based on the individual flood risk. Although this makes it more affordable for flood insurance coming from FEMA, this may still bring an increase to rates for some property owners.

This type of change makes them a big contender to take the spot when you ask people where best to get flood insurance however it's integral to point out that other than how you're going to be rated, some things never change with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance.

When it comes to coverage, we're still talking about the same $250,000 maximum on dwelling or building coverage and $100,000 maximum when it comes to contents

Other than these, these are all that the federal government can offer when it comes to flood insurance even with the Risk Rating 2.0 update. Here's a quick breakdown of the NFIP 2.0 card compared to the current version we have at the time of writing:

Alabama Faces a Potential Flood Event in 2022

Private Flood

Private flood insurance has made a big push in the last 15 years. There have been a lot of changes in the last 5 years that allow private flood insurance to be a great flood insurance option for many property owners. Let's look at exactly what private flood insurance is.

For many years the only option for many property owners was the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). There were many limitations with this program like wait periods, coverage amounts, and cost of the policy.

It's important to understand not all private flood insurance options are the same. There are admitted and non-admitted carriers in the private market. Each one of these types of policies has different requirements they follow.

The private flood insurance market still offers flood coverage that doesn't really have any maximum amount. You can definitely still get more than $250,000. Even when it comes to personal items or contents coverage, you can definitely go more than $100,000 for flood damage. That coverage also comes with the loss of useadditional living expenses, and/or replacement costs.

We've also seen a lot of homeowners coming to us for flood insurance and were able to get it in just a few days. The maximum waiting period for a flood policy from a private insurance company is only 14 days.

Alabama Faces a Potential Flood Event in 2022

What This Means for the Future

Considering that both Risk Rating 2.0 and private flood insurance companies base flood insurance rates on flood risks, this type of weather event can really add up to the things that increase your risk of flooding. This can also be a hard-hitter when it comes to flood mitigation since more risks require more efforts to lessen the flood damage on your property.

If Alabama were to get dumped by heavy rainfall more frequently, this could mean that flood insurance rates will also skyrocket in most areas especially when such rain event causes huge flooding in the area.

We're starting the Month of Arts and Hearts with such a concerning scenario, so we hope that you stay safe during this time. If you really don't need to head out, please stay at home and follow your local government's guidelines on what to do when flooding starts to happen. The thing is flooding can happen anytime.

So if you've got questions on flood insurance in Alabama, what this rain event could mean for your flood risk score, or anything related to flood insurance, click below to access our Flood Learning Center.

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If you want to speak to us about your flood concerns, click below to contact us:

The Flood Insurance Guru | 2054514294

Remember, we have an educational background on flood mitigation which lets us help you understand flood risks, flood insurance, and protecting your property long-term.

Welcome to the second part of our two-parter blog on real estate and flood insurance in Alabama. We've covered the things you need to know as a realtor when it comes to buying a house or a property for a potential buyer. You can read our blog about it by clicking here.

Alabama Real Estate: Selling Properties in a Flood Zone

In today's blog, we want to talk about the other side of the coin and note some important things to keep in mind when selling a house.

Regardless of whether you're the homeowner or just a real estate agent, you should be aware of these things when it comes to flood insurance, flood zones, and what impacts they have on properties in Alabama.

List of Flood Claims

We've already mentioned in our previous blog that it's important to have a basic, if not in-depth, awareness of the history of flood insurance claims made on a property. This way, as a buyer, you get to find proper expectations when it comes to your flood insurance policy and its respective premium.

On the other hand, if you're the one selling the property, this goes the same. It's common courtesy for your potential buyers to be given an idea of where the current flood insurance stands especially when it comes to claims. This also gives a substantial idea of the flooding history as well. For some states, information like this is federally required to be disclosed to a buyer before closing a deal.

This can be done by requesting a list of the claims made through your insurance carrier. Retrieving claims history is a very easy process for both federal and private flood insurance. This list of claims can be requested or ordered from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

On the other hand, private insurance companies will have to be contacted by you or your real estate agent to get this list firsthand. It's important to note that the flood claims history on a property may not be readily available when you order it from private flood insurance, so it's important to keep tabs on your claims history.

Alabama Real Estate: Selling Properties in a Flood Zone

Policy Assumption

One of the key things to know when it comes to the seller-side is mostly on the policy itself. You see, you don't really have to cancel your policy once you have sold the house, it can remain and be passed on to the new owner. This option of transferring the currently active policy to the new owner (buyer) is called policy assumption.

A policy assumption or policy transfer can help you keep the current flood premium and lower-risk flood zone which in turn will also help you avoid those expensive premiums within that period. You also won't have to pay for the flood insurance premium that the policy also has – this can be discussed between you and the seller.

 

This way, you can make sure that you have proper protection for the new house you're buying without emptying your wallet or bank account. The policy contract will be transferred to you and you'll be the new policyholder in the eyes of FEMA once the reinsurance or renewal day kicks in.

Policy assumption or transfer in your flood insurance can really help you out if you're mapped into high-risk zones in FEMA's flood map or the flood insurance rate map (FIRM). Now, when it comes to properties or houses in that high-risk flood zones, you have to keep in mind that your mortgage lender will be very keen on requiring you to carry a policy for that property.

This mandatory flood insurance purchase can cause a hefty price since we're talking about a lot of flood insurance requirements to be secured before you can get a flood policy for the property.

So other than the higher risk of flooding, you also face a higher risk of emptying your wallet because your mortgage company really needs you to carry flood insurance for your property.

Impacts of Recent Flooding

One of the things you always have to consider when selling a house is recent natural disasters. The most common one is flooding and considering that we're already emphasizing the importance of flood claims which is a direct indication that the house has a chance of flooding.

Recent flooding, most especially, will be a key factor in selling your house and we believe the biggest concern is how much protection does your house has against flood damage and flood loss. It's important to always keep your flood mitigation measures in check in order to have a better chance of selling your home.

Alabama Real Estate: Selling Properties in a Flood Zone

Equally, FEMA is also very heavy on flood frequency when it comes to flood insurance rates. The new Risk Rating 2.0, launched on April 1st and October 1st of last year, changed the rating structure for the federal flood insurance.

One of the flood risk variables being considered by FEMA and the NFIP when rating your property's flood insurance policy is both how often the insured building gets flooded and what type of flooding it experiences. This can take a very hard hit for your selling strategy as most buyers would shy away from flood-prone houses.

As a realtor, it's important that you are aware of this as well, if not an expert when it comes to it. A lot of potential buyers get frustrated when they get surprised about this requirement, so as a realtor it's best you let them know ahead of time.

When it comes to selling properties, you really want to help your buyer consider what the flood risk is and the chance of flooding. Some states like Texas actually require realtors and sellers to fully disclose the flood history and claims on a property, but regardless it wouldn't really hurt being transparent about these things. After all, we're talking about the safety of someone moving into a residential property.

If you've got any questions on a flood policy, the flood zone status of the property you're looking to buy, how the floodplain impacts flood zones, or anything related to floods, click below to go to our Flood Learning Center where we try to answer these questions.

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You can also call us if you need a second opinion from a flood insurance agent when it comes to your purchase of a property by clicking below.

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Remember, we have an educational background in flood mitigation which lets us help you understand your flood risks, flood insurance, real estate selling and buying, and mitigating your property's value long-term.

Business is booming as some would say to the real estate market in Alabama. Despite being in a pandemic, somehow real estate was able to keep up with the times. 2021 was one of these proofs as Alabama had an increase of 3.9% year-over-year (Y/Y) in real estate sales during the month of August.

Alabama Real Estate: Buying Properties in a Flood Zone

It's no secret that some of these listings sit on a high-risk flood zone, so today, we want to talk about things every realtor needs to know when it comes to buying and selling a property that's in a flood zone.

This is part one of a two-parter blog and for this article, we want to focus on the buyer's side of real estate.

Loan Types & Flood Insurance Options

When it comes to closing a house, most buyers don't really have the luxury to pay it all in cash. This is why loans exist to help ease up the expenses in maintaining a roof above your head. If you're reading this blog, you're most likely to be familiar with mortgages and how it works.

What you might not know is that mortgages and loan types can actually impact your flood insurance too.

You see, depending on the type of loan you have for your property, you'll get different options when it comes to flood insurance. We have different types of loans and we actually covered this topic on our podcast blog, but to further understand the situation especially after the Risk Rating 2.0 update with federal flood insurance let's give an example.

Alabama Real Estate: Buying Properties in a Flood Zone

If you have the Federal Housing Administration or FHA loan, you won't be able to get flood insurance through any private insurance carrier because your bank won't accept it. This only means that your only flood insurance source will be from the federal side which is through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

There was a time that if you have a loan that's under the government such as an FHA loan, Veteran Affairs (VA) loan, or United States Urban Development Administration (USDA) loan, the only option you have is through the NFIP when it comes to flood insurance.

This meant those people with conventional loans are the only ones who can get flood insurance through private companies before. This was changed way back and only homeowners with an FHA loan are required to get flood insurance through FEMA and the NFIP.

So this is important to keep in mind. Consider first what loan type you have in order to get a proper expectation on where you can get flood insurance from.

Flood Insurance Claims

Another thing you want to consider when buying a property is its history of flooding and flood claims history. This way you get to have an immediate idea of the flood risks or flood hazards that the house might face.

It's also important to note that when it comes to flood insurance, you might not get a policy from the private insurance companies once they detect that the previous owner or the property is prone to flooding.

It's important to keep in mind that flood claims aren't like medical insurance claims where it goes wherever you go. What we mean by this is that when you file a flood claim on the property, regardless of who the owner is, the claims will stay with the property basically for its entire life.

Alabama Real Estate: Buying Properties in a Flood Zone

When it comes to the federal side, however, there won't be a refusal to provide flood insurance to properties like this however with the Risk Rating 2.0, having multiple claims on a property is sure to impact the overall costs of your flood insurance premiums with that house. This is what's called the claim variable.

For this one, it's crucial to always know the flood and claims history of the property. This way you protect yourself from unwanted non-renewals as per the carrier's discretion or expensive flood insurance rates.

Flood Insurance Premiums

One of the biggest questions asked by a potential buyer of a house concerns flood insurance rates. This opens the door for asking, "will my premiums skyrocket after I buy the property?"

Alabama Real Estate: Buying Properties in a Flood Zone

The thing about flood insurance premiums is that the rate is generally guaranteed only for 12 months. This means that after that, you may see some changes like a minor increase or decrease. This is considering that you weren't flooded. On the other hand, if the property was recently subjected to flood damage and there was a claim filed for it, the flood insurance premium can increase substantially.

Verifying the Flood Zone

One of the most important things a buyer or realtor should know about a property when it comes to flood insurance is its flood zone. Despite being removed from the rating consideration in FEMA and the NFIP, the private flood insurance market still look at this factor when it comes to rates. This means that flood zones directly impact your rates and risk of flooding.

Additionally, regardless of it being removed from the rating system, flood zones still have absolute control on whether or not the property is required to have a flood insurance policy with that property. Keep in mind that if you fall in flood zone A or AE, also known as high-risk flood zones or special flood hazard areas (SFHA), you're going to be required to carry flood insurance.

 

There are many cases where an incorrect flood zone is put in a policy — maybe because there was a recent flood insurance rate map or flood map update that wasn't known by the seller or confusion between different flood zones.

As a realtor, it's important that you are aware of this as well, if not an expert when it comes to it. A lot of potential buyers get frustrated when they get surprised about this requirement, so as a realtor it's best you let them know ahead of time.

When it comes to selling properties, you really want to help your buyer consider what the flood risk is and the chance of flooding. Some states like Texas actually require realtors and sellers to fully disclose the flood history and claims on a property, but regardless it wouldn't really hurt being transparent about these things. After all, we're talking about the safety of someone moving into a residential property.

If you've got any questions on a flood policy, the flood zone status of the property you're looking to buy, how the floodplain impacts flood zones, or anything related to floods, click below to go to our Flood Learning Center where we try to answer these questions.

Flood Insurance Guru | Service | Knowledge Base

You can also call us if you need a second opinion from a flood insurance agent when it comes to your purchase of a property by clicking below.

The Flood Insurance Guru | 2054514294

Remember, we have an educational background in flood mitigation which lets us help you understand your flood risks, flood insurance, real estate selling and buying, and mitigating your property's value long-term.

Shelby County's own University of Montevallo (UM) is celebrating its 125th anniversary and this is really something worth noting. However, during this time a concern that doesn't look like affecting flood insurance surfaced; local restaurants and the general population of Shelby County are experiencing supply chain issues.

The Impacts of Supply Chain On Flood Claims in Shelby County, Alabama

Today, we want to talk about what this could mean for flood insurance, its coverages, and what to expect as we celebrate the 125th anniversary of UM.

Supply Chain Issues

Local restaurants in the southern parts of Birmingham are having a rough start to the year as supply chain issues resurface. This is causing a lot of problems not just for food supplies, but even necessary utensils and such. From containers to equipment, business owners are having trouble handling the potential economic impact of the issues with supplies.

This issue is just a few weeks after President Joe Biden implemented a presidential declaration to help homeowners across Jefferson County, Mobile County, and Shelby County when it comes to recovering from the October 2021 flooding.

The Impacts of Supply Chain On Flood Claims in Shelby County, Alabama

A local business owner, Naseem Ajlouny, shared with Shelby County Reporter how he's struggling with the supply chain issues. He quoted to have "spent around 30% of work now trying to source product". Moreover, there are also concerns with food supplies through crops such as the availability of corn on the cob and other protein products.

This is creating an increase in costs for menus across the county just to make ends meet. Worst case scenario, the item just has to be removed from the menu.

So what does this mean for flood insurance?

Supply Chain & Coverages

Now, when it comes to the concern of the supply chain, it's important to keep in mind that this doesn't just impact how businesses run. This also means that there may be unwanted impacts to flood insurance.

Let's all remind ourselves that Alabama, especially Shelby County, can be very prone to floods. There are a lot of flood hazards in the area which only contributes to the high-risk flood zones that the county is in when it comes to flood insurance rate maps (FIRM). So, this isn't really just a concern for business owners, but it can also impact homeowners.

You see, when it comes to flood insurance coverages, those replacement costs for recovering and rebuilding the building still need to come from sourcing out materials — the same goes for content coverages or the personal items included with the insured building.

If business owners are having trouble getting materials outside of flood insurance coverages and to keep their businesses afloat, what more when water starts overflowing from the floodplain?

This type of issue can cause a limited amount of coverage when it comes to additional living expenses from your flood insurance claim. This means that you won't really get an increase in premiums or payment, but you can expect to face higher costs when it comes to repairing the building.

The Impacts of Supply Chain On Flood Claims in Shelby County, Alabama

When flood insurance covers the repairs or recovery of an insured building, the market can still have an impact on the costs of materials like wood, bricks, metal, and things like that. Since the county is experiencing some challenges with importing these things, it's safe to expect that there will be higher costs on the materials.

This could also mean that if you have that $250,000 standard coverage for your $200,000 home, it will easily be maxed out when you file a flood claim when the reparation begins.

Even if we say that you will get 100% coverage on the repair of your insured building, there will be no room for flood mitigation measures since the building coverage or replacement cost is already maxed out.

The Impacts of Supply Chain On Flood Claims in Shelby County, Alabama

This can be very concerning especially since we're moving out of the winter season very soon and that also means that Alabama will face runoff from all directions. We've seen this happen before and it's not impossible to happen again. Despite the clearer skies in North Alabama, it's important to mention that Cullman County in the north-central areas of the state, faced 2 to 3 inches of rain in September before the October flooding.

Are you prepared to face possible flooding in the next few weeks?

If you have any questions on supply chains and flood insurance, how to review your insurance coverages, where to get flood insurance or anything at all, you can click our Flood Learning Center where we try to answer all your flood insurance questions.

Flood Insurance Guru | Service | Knowledge Base

You can also click below to call us and we can discuss your flood insurance needs.

The Flood Insurance Guru | 2054514294

Remember, we have an educational background in flood mitigation which lets us help you understand your flood risks, flood insurance, and mitigating the value of your property long-term. 

As the country steadily moved into the Fall season, the southeastern region of the United States was hit by a substantial amount of rainfall. This was enough to cause flooding in some states, but the one most impacted was Alabama.

Alabama Flooding; President Biden Approves Disaster Declaration

A lot of families were faced with flood damage and today, we want to talk about how the federal government — under President Joe Biden, Jr. — are looking to help the victims of the flooding. Let's talk about how the disaster declaration issued on December 21st is going to help the people of Alabama in recovering from the flood loss during the October flood.

Alabama October Flooding

Shelby and Jefferson County received a significant amount of rainfall in October. According to National Weather Service (NWS) Birmingham, Alabama, several waves of slow-moving, intense storms brought estimated rain rates as high as 4-5 inches (100 to 130 mm) per hour late on October 6th, 2021.

The flooding itself was so bad that fire officials said they responded to 282 calls for assistance. This is outside of the 82 rescues that had to be done in homes and about a maximum of 20 for stranded vehicles in Pelham, Alabama alone.

Alabama Flooding; President Biden Approves Disaster Declaration

This event also caused a lot of casualties. At least four people died including children. Most of these deaths were vehicle-related meaning to say that the victims got overwhelmed with water while they are in their vehicles. These people and their respective families are in our thoughts.

When there's a flood, there's also bound to have damages on multiple infrastructure and properties. 

The Presidential Declaration

As of December 21st, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. approves the disaster declaration for Alabama. This declaration is in order to provide federal assistance to the state's residents' wellness and recovery from the damages of the flood. The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Jefferson and Shelby.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), major declarations like this generally mean that provide a wide range of disaster assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure, including funds for both emergency and permanent work.

Alabama Flooding; President Biden Approves Disaster Declaration

How It Helps

The federal assistance includes grants or financial assistance for temporary housing, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners in Alabama recover from the effects of the October flooding. Most importantly, this also includes home repairs.

Focusing on the damages of the storm on properties, we want to focus on how this assistance can help recovery efforts for both residential and commercial properties. Damage assessments will be made based on your property's cost to repair and not the cost of repair.

Cost to repair basically focuses on the actual value of your property in its before-damage condition or before it was damaged by the October flood. This also includes any necessary actions to meet the basis for hazard mitigation against floods as set by FEMA. We also call this flood mitigation which acts as the first line of protective measures to reduce the damages when floodwater starts to inundate your property.

Calculating this will be managed by the federal assistance team, but you can also do this by following the formula below:

Alabama Flooding: President Biden Approves Disaster Declaration

Cost of repair generally is concerned with any specific action done to repair a property. For example, getting your paint and tape redone will have cheaper costs and doesn't guarantee that it can bring back the property to its pre-damaged condition.

It's important to keep in mind this major difference between the two as you may also be involved in recovering, repairing, and rebuilding your home. Property damage as a whole will be considered and not just the specific costs to certain repairs being done to your home.

Recovering from flood damage can be very tedious especially now that Risk Rating 2.0 expects homeowners to have all of their properties meet flood mitigation efforts or else face expensive flood insurance rates from FEMA. This is for the best considering that flood loss isn't something to be taken lightly.

Alabama Flooding; President Biden Approves Disaster Declaration

If you have questions on the cost to repair your home, if you have flood insurance and want to know how this can be helped with the new disaster declaration, or anything related to floods, click below to reach our team.

The Flood Insurance Guru | 2054514294

You can also go to our Flood Learning Center where we try to answer your flood insurance questions.

Flood Insurance Guru | Service | Knowledge Base

If you are one of the eligible homeowners in Shelby and Jefferson County, Alabama, you can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.

Remember, we have an educational background in flood mitigation which lets us help you understand your flood risks, insurance policy, and mitigating your property long-term.

Alabama is no stranger to flooding. Be this due to consistent rainfall to hurricanes making landfall near the state, almost throughout every year, Alabama will be a victim of this type of natural disaster.

Three Most Common Flood Zones in Alabama

Today, we want to do a deep dive into why flooding is very common in the state and discuss the three most common flood zones in The Heart of Dixie state.

Lookback on Alabama Floods

The state is no stranger to floods especially due to flash flooding. Most of the counties in the state face flood as one of the biggest challenges from heavy rains to tropical storms passing by.

Despite having only one named storm in the last quarter of this year, it doesn't mean everything will be calm. We're still seeing a lot of rainfall and persistent precipitations across the country. In most cases, these conditions are enough to cause enough flooding and damage to multiple areas.

Take note, this is without a tropical storm present and at the most extreme caused by monsoons. Why is this happening you might ask?

We can owe it to what's called the La Niña. La Niña is a "cold event" wherein trade winds are stronger than usual which pushes more warm water toward Asia. Being the exact opposite of El Niño which is commonly known as the "heat event" that leads to week-to-month long droughts in South America and California, La Niña is a mixed bag of weather conditions that are very unpredictable and usually exceed the expectations.

This generally causes some areas of the United States to be very dry while some get very wet. To give an example, 80% of Stanislaus County in California is experiencing very extreme to exceptional drought hence the "very dry" conditions. Add this to the already dried-up ecosystem due to the wildfires, it's no question why the drought continues in the state. However, it's equally important to note that these types of events may just be scratching the surface when it comes to the dangers it presents to locals.

On the other hand, if we look at areas like Washington, a lot of atmospheric river impacts are being felt due to La Niña hence causing floods in the area up to the northwestern regions even in British Columbia. We've also seen how the shift from having warm surface water to a much colder one impacts the weather in areas like Northern California. The northern part of the state recently had to face devastating damages due to atmospheric rivers causing an extreme rain event in the area.

These are just a few of the examples we're seeing in the past few weeks however this doesn't mean that everything ends there. We can still expect more effects of the "small girl" as we end the year and go through the winter season.

Most Common Zones in Alabama

There are three most common flood zones we see the cover of the households in Alabama, these are Flood Zone X, Flood Zone A, and Flood Zone AE.

Other than the letters you might be wondering how these flood zones differ, so we'll discuss that

Flood Zone X

If your property is "not in a flood zone" then you're most likely to be in a flood zone X. Generally this zone has the lowest flood risk due to its relative distance to floodplains where flooding commonly starts. This simply means that flood insurance generally isn't required since the probability of a flood or risk of flooding, and impact a building or property in such zones is much lower than other flood zones.

Keep in mind that we're talking about a low-risk zone and not a no-risk zone. This is generally due to flash floods being more commonly experienced by flood zone X which causes significant flood insurance losses due to the damages.

Some mortgage and/or insurance carriers would also call these preferred flood zones. This is called a preferred zone since it has more favorable rates for the homeowner and risks for the insurance carrier. Even with FEMA, being in a low-risk zone brings a lot of good things because Flood Zone X has lower rates even in flood-prone Alabama. 

As we move into Risk Rating 2.0 where flood zones don't impact flood insurance rates, if your property sits on a Flood Zone X, you won't be required to carry flood insurance. However, it's important to remember that 30% of flood insurance claims do come from the homes in Flood Zone X.

Flood Zone A

Let's say you move into someplace else and the property or building is marked as moderate to high-risk flood zones.  Flood insurance is mandatory in areas under Flood Zone A on a property(s) with a mortgage or any additional interests in the property or building.

Generally, this zone falls outside of the preferred zones due to higher changes and flood risk overall. In FEMA's legacy program, this is where you'd start seeing some significant increase in the rates of your flood insurance policy. 

Another important thing you should remember about Flood Zone A is that its base flood elevation isn't determined yet many times. This makes it a challenge for flood zone changes and flood maps since there's no assurance where the base flood elevation starts. You might wake up one day with your kid's teddy bear soaked under 3-feet of floodwater... or maybe not.

 

In this case, do keep in mind that when someone tells you to give your house an elevation certificate or you need flood vents for your home, you should always think carefully multiple times if you're standing on Flood Zone A; you wouldn't want your wallet drained of money.

In regards to Risk Rating 2.0, flood zone A simply means that you will be required by your mortgage or FEMA to carry flood insurance on your property. However, being in a higher-risk zone will no longer cause an increase or any impact on your premium rates.

Flood Zone AE

Lastly, the area where lifeboats should also be considered a necessity. All jokes aside, this zone has the highest risk when it comes to flood zones outside of the coasts and is also known as a 100-year flood zone.  Since Flood Zone AE has a 0.2% to 1%  flood threat at any given month and/or year as it's getting closer to the coast.

Unlike the previous high-risk zone, most properties in the AE zone have determined base flood zones. This is also why it's a higher-risk zone compared to the A zone. Due to this, FEMA and other floodplain management agree that certain conditions can be enough to cause small floods, flash flooding, or widespread floods in that area.

Like Flood Zone A, this zone also requires and mandates that a property must have flood insurance in place especially when there's a mortgage and/or any additional interests.

You don't have to worry since you have options in getting your flood insurance to secure your property values: the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or through the private market (private flood insurance). 

Not being aware that you're moving into a special flood hazard area can cause an immeasurable headache for your bank as flood insurance will be required no matter what, and when someone tells you to give your house an elevation certificate, you should probably consider getting one with some flood vents if possible as this can help lower your rates even in Risk Rating 2.0.

Despite removing flood zones as a basis of rating in Risk Rating 2.0, flood mitigations like installing flood vents, securing elevation certificates, elevating your home, and other mitigation efforts are appreciated and will bring you enough decrease to make that FEMA rating easier to manage.

Flood Insurance Guru: Alabama

For this part, we really want to share our experiences serving homeowners and business owners alike when it comes to the residential or commercial properties they want to protect from flood damage and flood loss.

Looking at our data over at Flood Insurance Guru, about 25% of the flood policies we were able to handle in Alabama are currently zoned in Flood Zone X. However, considering that there is impactful development when it comes to the behavior of water and frequency of runoff and flash floods, even low-risk zones aren't really that safe from flooding.

On the other hand, about 21.2% of the policies we have for Alabama are in Flood Zone A. This can be very alarming, if this number rings true to all properties in the state, as homeowners and floodplain management don't really have a clear insight when it comes to the base flood elevation for at least 20% of the properties across the state.

Lastly, in our database for the customers, we have from Alabama. At least 53.7% are mapped into Flood Zone AE. When it comes to floods, this means that more than half of the properties in Alabama have identified base flood elevation and also are more flood-prone due to possible floodplain devolvement.

As you can see, most of the properties in Alabama are in a flood zone. Regardless of being in a Flood Zone X, A, or AE, properties will still get flooded. Basically, saying that a house is "not in a flood zone" is a myth. We want to raise awareness for these types of things especially since flood insurance is something that you really don't have included in any other insurance.

If you have questions on your flood zone in Alabama,  what are your flood insurance options in the state, or anything related to flood and insurance, click the links below to reach us. You can also access our Flood Learning Center by clicking its graphic below.

Flood Insurance Guru | Service | Knowledge Base

Remember, we have an educational background in flood mitigation which lets us help you understand your flood risks, flood zone, flood insurance, and protecting your property's value long-term.

The Flood Insurance Guru | 2054514294

We've already completed the first part of this big series on the upcoming changes to federal flood insurance. We have covered each state however that only gives a small idea of the changes coming. In this new series for Risk Rating 2.0, we want to cover the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) changes to communities in each state.

The Flood Insurance Guru | Huntsville, Alabama New Federal Flood Insurance Risk Rating 2.0

Today, we will talk about Alabama and Huntsville City to dive deeper into understanding the upcoming changes to your flood insurance policy from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The NFIP

First, let's have a quick look back on the federal flood insurance scene which is specifically what's called the National Flood Insurance Program. Let's go through what the NFIP is and why the Risk Rating 2.0 is happening.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance cover both damages to the building and contents. When we say building, this generally pertains to a residential property or a commercial structure that gets flood coverage that maxes out to $250,000 (up to $500,000 for commercial flood policies only). At the same time, you'll also find contents coverage of $100,000 or the personal property you have listed with the insured building. They have been providing billions of dollars in flood claims across the state.

The Flood Insurance Guru | Huntsville, Alabama New Federal Flood Insurance Risk Rating 2.0

FEMA and the NFIP also help in other ways as well since policyholders are eligible for their Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) and what's called the Community Rating System (CRS).

The ICC is an additional $30,000 flood coverage to give way for flood mitigation efforts for the insured property to avoid massive losses from a future flood event. The CRS on the other hand is a community-based rating system that measures the overall flood mitigation efforts made by the community in general; basically, this means that the higher your CRS score is, the bigger the discount

Now, it's important to remember that the NFIP was established by the federal government under FEMA in 1968. Some parts changed when it comes to how the program works however the last major changes and updates that the NFIP got were from 30 years ago. This is where the Risk Rating 2.0 comes in.

The Flood Insurance Guru | Huntsville, Alabama New Federal Flood Insurance Risk Rating 2.0

What is the Risk Rating 2.0

This is what FEMA calls equity in action when it comes to making the cost of flood insurance policies fairer per policyholder. This simply means that when it comes to flood insurance rates, a lot of things will start to change with the NFIP and FEMA. Generally, this is because property values for each individual property will be accounted for when finalizing your quote and flood insurance premiums with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

It's important to note, however, that this won't mean that the cheapest flood insurance will go automatically to lower-valued homes. It's equally important that we take into account, just like FEMA does and the private flood insurance industry, what's called flood risk variables which includes, but is not limited to the following:

  • Designation in the flood zone maps.
  • History of flood incidents, flood damage, and flood loss
  • Flood claims made with the property
  • Flood hazard, flood plain devolvement, and impact of flooding
  • Risk of flood in the area, the chance of flooding, and flood frequency
  • Mitigation efforts made on the property. Is the lowest floor above the base flood elevation? Are there enough flood openings to let flood waters through?

Now that we've covered the NFIP and the Risk Rating 2.0, let's talk about its impact on Madison County and its seat, Huntsville City. We'll cover the good, the bad, and the ugly changes coming to the residents of the city.

The Flood Insurance Guru | Huntsville, Alabama New Federal Flood Insurance Risk Rating 2.0

The Good

We want to cover the good things coming to Huntsville City first. We'll divide these good changes into two to specify the changes coming to flood insurance rates. This good change will bring an immediate decrease in the premium rates of those impacted. About 14.3% or 632 of the policies in the city will get impacted by this change.

The first half will impact about 9.1% or 403 policies will be getting a decrease that ranges from $0, which means there'll be no change at all, to $50 per month ($0 - $600 per year). The other half of this good change impacts 5.2% or 229 policies which will get a better deal since the decrease ranges from $50 to more than $100 per month ($600-$1200 per year). 

This decrease can help a lot of people who might not want to risk the private sector holding back on their services. Generally, since the private flood insurance companies aren't bound by the government's red tapes, they can easily move out of an area once the risk of flooding becomes too uncomfortable for them. 

The Bad

Now, let's move into the bad news and bad changes that the Risk Rating 2.0 will bring to residents of Huntsville in Alabama. A whopping 75.2% or 3,320 policies in force from FEMA will get an increase ranging from $0 to $10 per month ($0 - $120 per year). This is drastically smaller compared to other major cities we'll cover across this series.

You may want to prepare for these premium rate increases with this new Risk Rating considering how this portion of bad changes generally covers the bigger chunk of these changes.

This is why it's so important to understand these changes because you want to get the most out of your investment in flood policies when in proportion to the flood insurance coverage you'll get. Nobody would want to pay a higher amount, only to get covered for only $250,000 in a $500,000 home.

The Ugly

There are also ugly changes coming however this will only impact one policy in the city. It's important to note that these changes will be escalating as we move further in the range, meaning there's the ugly, the uglier, and the ugliest change impacting about 461 or about 10.4% of the policies that FEMA has in Huntsville.

First, we have to cover the ugly change. This will impact 6.8% or 298 policies that will get an increase of about $10 to $20 per month ($120 to $240 per year) on that flood insurance policy's price when it comes to premium rates from FEMA.

Now, there's still that uglier change which will be bringing an increase that ranges from $20 to $50 per month ($240 to $600 per year). This will impact 149 policies in the city (3.4%) once the Risk Rating 2.0 update kicks in these policyholders' flood insurance.

Lastly, there's the ugliest change which is mainly due to the drastic increase it will bring to policyholders covered under this umbrella. We're talking about an increase that ranges from $50 to more than $100 per month ($600 to $1200 per year on premium rates) and will affect about 0.3% or 14 policies in the city.

This type of change can really hurt anyone's financial stability especially when we're talking about those who already find it hard to keep up with their flood insurance premiums. This is why we also recommend either prepare for these changes way ahead of time or prepare for moving into a different flood insurance company from the private flood insurance market.

When Will It Happen?

Now, the date when you can adopt this program really depends if you're doing a renewal or if it's a new business policy. You see, you can expect these changes to start on October 1st and you're going to adapt to these rate changes if you're buying flood insurance from FEMA on or after that date. 

On the other hand, if you're doing a renewal with FEMA after that date then you don't have to take in these new rate changes until April 1st, 2022, or the date of your upcoming policy renewal.

If you have questions on these upcoming changes, what are your flood insurance options in Alabama, or anything about flood, reach out to us through the links below. You can also watch this on our YouTube channel.

Remember, we have an educational background in flood mitigation and we want to help you understand flood risks through education and awareness in flood insurance and preparedness.

Get Your Flood Risk Score Here!

We've already completed the first part of this big series on the upcoming changes to federal flood insurance. We have covered each state however that only gives a small idea of the changes coming. In this new series for Risk Rating 2.0, we want to cover the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) changes to communities in each state.

The Flood Insurance Guru | Montgomery, Alabama: New Federal Flood Insurance Risk Rating 2.0

Today, we will talk about Alabama and Montgomery City to dive deeper into understanding the upcoming changes to your flood insurance policy from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

What is the Risk Rating 2.0

This is what FEMA calls equity in action when it comes to making the cost of flood insurance policies fairer per policyholder. This simply means that when it comes to flood insurance rates, a lot of things will start to change with the NFIP and FEMA.

Generally, this is because property values for each individual property will be accounted for when finalizing your quote and flood insurance premiums with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

It's important to note, however, that this won't mean that the cheapest flood insurance will go automatically to lower-valued homes. It's equally important that we take into account, just like FEMA does and the private flood insurance industry, what's called flood risk variables which includes, but is not limited to the following:

  • Designation in the flood zone maps.
  • History of flood incidents, flood damage, and flood loss
  • Flood claims made with the property
  • Flood hazard, flood plain devolvement, and impact of flooding
  • Risk of flood in the area, the chance of flooding, and flood frequency
  • Mitigation efforts made on the property. Is the lowest floor above the base flood elevation? Are there enough flood openings to let flood waters through?

The Flood Insurance Guru | Montgomery, Alabama: New Federal Flood Insurance Risk Rating 2.0

The NFIP

Let's have a quick look back on the federal flood insurance scene which is specifically what's called the National Flood Insurance Program. Let's go through what the NFIP is and why the Risk Rating 2.0 is happening.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance cover both damages to the building and contents. When we say building, this generally pertains to a residential property or a commercial structure that gets flood coverage that maxes out to $250,000 (up to $500,000 for commercial flood policies only). At the same time, you'll also find contents coverage of $100,000 or the personal property you have listed with the insured building. They have been providing billions of dollars in flood claims across the state.

FEMA and the NFIP also help in other ways as well since policyholders are eligible for their Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) and what's called the Community Rating System (CRS).

The ICC is an additional $30,000 flood coverage to give way for flood mitigation efforts for the insured property to avoid massive losses from a future flood event. The CRS on the other hand is a community-based rating system that measures the overall flood mitigation efforts made by the community in general; basically, this means that the higher your CRS score is, the bigger the discount

Now, it's important to remember that the NFIP was established by the federal government under FEMA in 1968. Some parts changed when it comes to how the program works however the last major changes and updates that the NFIP got were from 30 years ago. This is where the Risk Rating 2.0 comes in.

Now that we've covered the NFIP and the Risk Rating 2.0, let's talk about its impact on Montgomery County and its seat, Montgomery City. We'll cover the good, the bad, and the ugly changes coming to the residents of the city.

The Flood Insurance Guru | Montgomery, Alabama: New Federal Flood Insurance Risk Rating 2.0

The Good

We want to cover the good things coming to Montgomery, Alabama first. We'll divide these good changes into two to specify the changes coming to flood insurance rates. This good change will bring an immediate decrease in the premium rates of those impacted. About 17.4% or 226 of the policies in the city will get impacted by this change.

The first half will impact about 7.2% or 94 policies will be getting a decrease that ranges from $0, which means there'll be no change at all, to $50 per month ($0 - $600 per year). The other half of this good change impacts 10.2% or 132 policies which will get a better deal since the decrease ranges from $50 to more than $100 per month ($600-$1200 per year). 

This decrease can help a lot of people who might not want to risk the private sector holding back on their services. Generally, since the private flood insurance companies aren't bound by the government's red tapes, they can easily move out of an area once the risk of flooding becomes too uncomfortable for them. 

The Bad

Now, let's move into the bad news and bad changes that the Risk Rating 2.0 will bring to residents of Montgomery in Alabama. A whopping 71.7% or 931 policies in force from FEMA will get an increase ranging from $0 to $10 per month ($0 - $120 per year). This is drastically smaller compared to other major cities we'll cover across this series.

You may want to prepare for these premium rate increases with this new Risk Rating considering how this portion of bad changes generally covers the bigger chunk of these changes.

This is why it's so important to understand these changes because you want to get the most out of your investment in flood policies when in proportion to the flood insurance coverage you'll get. Nobody would want to pay a higher amount, only to get covered for only $250,000 in a $500,000 home.

The Ugly

There are also ugly changes coming however this will only impact one policy in the city. It's important to note that these changes will be escalating as we move further in the range, meaning there's the ugly, the uglier, and the ugliest change impacting about 1,142 or about 14.2% of the policies that FEMA has in Montgomery.

First, we have to cover the ugly change. This will impact 6.2% or 81 policies that will get an increase of about $10 to $20 per month ($120 to $240 per year) on that flood insurance policy's price when it comes to premium rates from FEMA.

Now, there's still that uglier change which will be bringing an increase that ranges from $20 to $50 per month ($240 to $600 per year). This will impact 50 policies in the city (3.8%) once the Risk Rating 2.0 update kicks in these policyholders' flood insurance.

Lastly, there's the ugliest change which is mainly due to the drastic increase it will bring to policyholders covered under this umbrella. We're talking about an increase that ranges from $50 to more than $100 per month ($600 to $1200 per year on premium rates) and will affect about 0.8% or 11 policies in the city.

This type of change can really hurt anyone's financial stability especially when we're talking about those who already find it hard to keep up with their flood insurance premiums. This is why we also recommend either prepare for these changes way ahead of time or prepare for moving into a different flood insurance company from the private flood insurance market.

When Will It Happen?

Now, the date when you can adopt this program really depends if you're doing a renewal or if it's a new business policy. You see, you can expect these changes to start on October 1st and you're going to adapt to these rate changes if you're buying flood insurance from FEMA on or after that date. 

On the other hand, if you're doing a renewal with FEMA after that date then you don't have to take in these new rate changes until April 1st, 2022, or the date of your upcoming policy renewal.

If you have questions on these upcoming changes, what are your flood insurance options in Alabama, or anything about flood, reach out to us through the links below. You can also watch this on our YouTube channel.

Remember, we have an educational background in flood mitigation and we want to help you understand flood risks through education and awareness in flood insurance and preparedness.

Get Your Flood Risk Score Here!

We've already completed the first part of this big series on the upcoming changes to federal flood insurance. We have covered each state however that only gives a small idea of the changes coming. In this new series for Risk Rating 2.0, we want to cover the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) changes to communities in each state.

The Flood Insurance Guru | Mobile, Alabama: New Federal Flood Insurance Risk Rating 2.0

Today, we will talk about Alabama and Mobile City to dive deeper into understanding the upcoming changes to your flood insurance policy from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

What is the Risk Rating 2.0

This is what FEMA calls equity in action when it comes to making the cost of flood insurance policies fairer per policyholder. This simply means that when it comes to flood insurance rates, a lot of things will start to change with the NFIP and FEMA. Generally, this is because property values for each individual property will be accounted for when finalizing your quote and flood insurance premiums with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

It's important to note, however, that this won't mean that the cheapest flood insurance will go automatically to lower-valued homes. It's equally important that we take into account, just like FEMA does and the private flood insurance industry, what's called flood risk variables which includes, but is not limited to the following:

  • Designation in the flood zone maps.
  • History of flood incidents, flood damage, and flood loss
  • Flood claims made with the property
  • Flood hazard, flood plain devolvement, and impact of flooding
  • Risk of flood in the area, the chance of flooding, and flood frequency
  • Mitigation efforts made on the property. Is the lowest floor above the base flood elevation? Are there enough flood openings to let flood waters through?

The Flood Insurance Guru | Mobile, Alabama: New Federal Flood Insurance Risk Rating 2.0

The NFIP

Let's have a quick look back on the federal flood insurance scene which is specifically what's called the National Flood Insurance Program. Let's go through what the NFIP is and why the Risk Rating 2.0 is happening.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance cover both damages to the building and contents. When we say building, this generally pertains to a residential property or a commercial structure that gets flood coverage that maxes out to $250,000 (up to $500,000 for commercial flood policies only). At the same time, you'll also find contents coverage of $100,000 or the personal property you have listed with the insured building. They have been providing billions of dollars in flood claims across the state.

The Flood Insurance Guru | Mobile, Alabama: New Federal Flood Insurance Risk Rating 2.0

FEMA and the NFIP also help in other ways as well since policyholders are eligible for their Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) and what's called the Community Rating System (CRS).

The ICC is an additional $30,000 flood coverage to give way for flood mitigation efforts for the insured property to avoid massive losses from a future flood event. The CRS on the other hand is a community-based rating system that measures the overall flood mitigation efforts made by the community in general; basically, this means that the higher your CRS score is, the bigger the discount

Now, it's important to remember that the NFIP was established by the federal government under FEMA in 1968. Some parts changed when it comes to how the program works however the last major changes and updates that the NFIP got were from 30 years ago. This is where the Risk Rating 2.0 comes in.

Now that we've covered the NFIP and the Risk Rating 2.0, let's talk about its impact on Mobile County and its seat, Mobile City. We'll cover the good, the bad, and the ugly changes coming to the residents of the city.

The Flood Insurance Guru | Mobile, Alabama: New Federal Flood Insurance Risk Rating 2.0

The Good

We want to cover the good things coming to Mobile, Alabama first. We'll divide these good changes into two to specify the changes coming to flood insurance rates. This good change will bring an immediate decrease in the premium rates of those impacted. About 20.4% or 1,629 of the policies in the city will get impacted by this change.

The first half will impact about 10.6% or 842 policies will be getting a decrease that ranges from $0, which means there'll be no change at all, to $50 per month ($0 - $600 per year). The other half of this good change impacts 9.9% or 781 policies which will get a better deal since the decrease ranges from $50 to more than $100 per month ($600-$1200 per year). 

This decrease can help a lot of people who might not want to risk the private sector holding back on their services. Generally, since the private flood insurance companies aren't bound by the government's red tapes, they can easily move out of an area once the risk of flooding becomes too uncomfortable for them. 

The Bad

Now, let's move into the bad news and bad changes that the Risk Rating 2.0 will bring to residents of Mobile in Alabama. A whopping 65.2% or 5,197 policies in force from FEMA will get an increase ranging from $0 to $10 per month ($0 - $120 per year). This is drastically smaller compared to other major cities we'll cover across this series.

You may want to prepare for these premium rate increases with this new Risk Rating considering how this portion of bad changes generally covers the bigger chunk of these changes.

This is why it's so important to understand these changes because you want to get the most out of your investment in flood policies when in proportion to the flood insurance coverage you'll get. Nobody would want to pay a higher amount, only to get covered for only $250,000 in a $500,000 home.

The Ugly

There are also ugly changes coming however this will only impact one policy in the city. It's important to note that these changes will be escalating as we move further in the range, meaning there's the ugly, the uglier, and the ugliest change impacting about 1,142 or about 14.2% of the policies that FEMA has in Mobile.

First, we have to cover the ugly change. This will impact 8.4% or 672 policies that will get an increase of about $10 to $20 per month ($120 to $240 per year) on that flood insurance policy's price when it comes to premium rates from FEMA.

Now, there's still that uglier change which will be bringing an increase that ranges from $20 to $50 per month ($240 to $600 per year). This will impact 395 policies in the city (5%) once the Risk Rating 2.0 update kicks in these policyholders' flood insurance.

Lastly, there's the ugliest change which is mainly due to the drastic increase it will bring to policyholders covered under this umbrella. We're talking about an increase that ranges from $50 to more than $100 per month ($600 to $1200 per year on premium rates) and will affect about 0.9% or 75 policies in the city.

This type of change can really hurt anyone's financial stability especially when we're talking about those who already find it hard to keep up with their flood insurance premiums. This is why we also recommend either prepare for these changes way ahead of time or prepare for moving into a different flood insurance company from the private flood insurance market.

When Will It Happen?

Now, the date when you can adopt this program really depends if you're doing a renewal or if it's a new business policy. You see, you can expect these changes to start on October 1st and you're going to adapt to these rate changes if you're buying flood insurance from FEMA on or after that date. 

On the other hand, if you're doing a renewal with FEMA after that date then you don't have to take in these new rate changes until April 1st, 2022, or the date of your upcoming policy renewal.

If you have questions on these upcoming changes, what are your flood insurance options in Alabama, or anything about flood, reach out to us through the links below. You can also watch this on our YouTube channel.

Remember, we have an educational background in flood mitigation and we want to help you understand flood risks through education and awareness in flood insurance and preparedness.

Get Your Flood Risk Score Here!