Mold is a silent force that can manage to spread in a home without detection. If you’re in Houston or League City, TX, and want to learn more about how you can protect your property from harmful water damage, ACU Insurance Services has a few facts that you should keep in mind before you decide which policies to get. 

The Nature of Flood Insurance 

Flood insurance is not required in your city, but many homeowners don’t want to take the chance. Although you are technically allowed to opt-out of this coverage, consider the fact that many flood claims are filed in neighborhoods that were in no way considered high-risk. Unfortunately, it only takes a little excess water to cause a lot of problems for property owners. 

Does It Cover Mold?

Flood insurance may cover mold, if the property owner can prove that the mold was a direct cause of a covered event, such as a thunderstorm. The problem is that mold can be difficult to prove, primarily if the mold has spread throughout the home. If you have flood insurance, the standard advice is to stay on top of your home inspections. The more you’re keeping an eye out for any potential signs, the faster you’ll catch it. If you can get to a small infestation immediately, it’s more likely that your insurance will cover it. 

If you have questions about how flood insurance can help you protect your home from mold in League City, TX, ACU Insurance Services is here to help. From home to flood to umbrella insurance, we can give you the suggestions you need to start making better decisions for your investments. Being aware of the options is the first step, so contact us today to learn more. 

When it rains, usually, it pours, and the results can be quite devastating. 

Flood insurance is the type of coverage not found in most standard homeowners insurance policies. It was created to protect the home and the owner’s personal property from every type of flooding (coastal, river, flash, or groundwater) that occurs. 

What is Flood Insurance?

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States today. Often, the results are record numbers in damage following each storm. Flood insurance provides additional coverage to an already existing homeowner’s policy. Usually, standard coverage includes damage from bursting water pipes and leaky faucets inside the home. Still, homeowners insurance will not protect a policyholder from damage that occurs by a nearby river overflowing or unexpected flash floods that forces water into the house. It’s why the federal government implemented flood insurance to assist homeowners in rebuilding or replacing their homes or personal items after a natural disaster. 

Homeowners in all 50 states have the opportunity to purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). Currently, these programs provide 95 percent of all flood insurance policies in the marketplace today. FEMA doesn’t sell flood insurance directly, but the federal agency works with several companies like ACU Insurance Services of League City, TX who offer flood insurance coverage to local homeowners. 

How Flood Insurance Works?

All homeowners can buy flood insurance as it doesn’t matter whether you live in a FEMA deemed high-or-low-risk flood zone area. This includes homes that reside near hillside property as they can be damaged by mud-sliding from a violent rainstorm. Flood insurance covers the cost to rebuild the home or pay out the actual market value of the home if the structure is no longer standing. The price for personal items will be based on a cash value that will be determined by an appraiser.

No home is completely safe from flooding. When water comes into the house, the cost of the damage can be staggering to a homeowner. Speak with a representative from ACU Insurance Services of League City, TX to discuss the advantages of having flood insurance on your home. Don’t wait until it’s too late. 

As flood events increase across the Lone Star State, many homeowners are looking into purchasing flood insurance. By learning the facts about flood coverage, you can get the protection you need and avoid costly mistakes when purchasing your policy. At ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX, we’ll provide you with accurate flood insurance facts and dispel any myths that can keep you from getting the flood protection you need. 

Myth: Standard home insurance covers flooding.

Fact: Homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, especially floods caused by rising river or ocean waters, snow melts, hurricanes, etc. For flood damage protection, you need a separate flood insurance policy.

Myth: Only major floods cause extensive damage to a home.

Fact: Even a few inches of flood water can devastate a home’s structure, not to mention ruin its contents. Flooding can destroy your clothes, furniture, home appliances, electronics, and other personal items, leaving you to foot the bill for tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage. Flood insurance provides the financial means to help you recover from a flood disaster.

Myth: Flood insurance is only for people who live in a high risk flood zone.

Fact: Flood insurance is for any homeowner or renter who wants or needs it, whether you live in a flood zone or not. Flooding has become so common across the country that 25% of flood claims are from people living outside a flood zone. With flood coverage, you can be prepared for any eventuality. 

Myth: Flood insurance is extremely costly.

Fact: Flood insurance is surprisingly affordable, especially if you live in a moderate to low risk flood area. Taking into consideration the devastating effects that a flood can cause, a flood insurance policy is well worth the cost.

For flood insurance coverage to protect your Texas home, contact ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX today.

Texans know all too well the threat of hurricanes, but at any time, a flash flood can cause extensive damage to homes and businesses. Let ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX walk you through the process and answer your questions.

What is a Flash Flood?

A flash flood is a rapid, heavy rainfall that comes on suddenly in a short amount of time. A flash flood can dump several inches of rain very quickly, causing low-lying areas to flood. If you live near a lake, river, or basin, your home may be in more danger of flooding than those on higher ground, away from bodies of water.

A devastating natural disaster, flash floods can completely flood your home and land, causing costly damage. There is not much of a warning before a flash flood occurs, so flash flood preparation ahead of time is imperative to protect your home, yourself, and your loved ones.

Before a Flash Flood

Preparation ahead of time is critical in protecting your home. Some things you can do is to create a floodplain around your home to keep water at bay and place your furnace, water heater, and other electrical appliances, and breaker box on cement blocks or wooden planks to keep them off the floor in case your basement floods.

You should periodically check your sewer and basement drains to keep them free of debris that may cause them to overflow during a downpour. You can use beams or floodwalls to prevent water from coming into your home during a flash flood, as well.

While it is happening

There are a few things you should do during a flash flood to stay safe, along with your family.

Follow local weather reports so that you can get your family to higher ground if a flash flood is on its way. Take important items and documents with you when you leave, if you have time to retrieve them.

Contact Your Agent

If you and your home have fallen victim to a flash flood, you know the importance of having insurance that will cover the damages. The staff at ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX are always here to assist you with all of your flood insurance needs.

The potential of a flooding disaster concerns most homeowners.   Every year, photos of homes submerged in flood waters are shown on news.  The concern for flooding is real but not every home is at equal risk.  Luckily, assessing your home’s risk level is easy to determine.  In the League City area, the agents at ACU Insurance Services are ready to help you make decisions about whether you need flood insurance or not.

In the US, the greatest natural disaster threat is flooding.  Also, home insurance policies do not cover flood damage.  In 1968, Congress recognized the burden these natural disasters placed on citizens and enacted the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  This helps those impacted to recover more quickly.  Determining your home’s level of flood risk is quite easy.  At FEMA, enter your address and you will find information about the level of risk for your home.  Homes in high risk areas naturally want the additional coverage of flood insurance.  For those in low or moderate risk areas, you will need to make some decisions.  Your agent will be able to help.  Nationally, it is estimated that one foot of water in a 1,000 sq. ft. home causes on average $27,150 damage.  For most, a flood event would be financially devasting.  To protect personal possessions and furniture, renters can also get flood insurance protection.  Whether you decide to get flood insurance or not, make sure that you understand your home’s risk level.

In the League City, TX area, the agents at ACU Insurance Services are ready to help you decide whether you need the additional protection that flood insurance provides.  Visit their website for information to get started then come into the offices to talk with an agent.  The time to protect the investment in your home is before anything happens.  Call or come by today!

If you are renting a home in League City, TX or surrounding areas, you should consider supplementing your renter insurance with a flood insurance policy. The benefits of a flood insurance policy supplementing with your renter insurance will provide you and your belongings solid coverage. Reasons below are why you should consider a flood insurance policy with ACU Insurance Services today.

Does my renter insurance cover floods?

The short answer to this question is that your renter insurance policy may cover your belongings in accidents and thefts, but flood damage is not one of those accidents. Flood damage is a disaster that is uncontrollable but is only included in its own policy. Unfortunately, many residents renting in flood zones do not have insurance, causing them to lose thousands in personal property during these disasters. Purchasing flood insurance allows you protection during these disasters and allows peace of mind knowing you are covered.

Does my landlord’s policy cover flood damage?

Although your landlord may have flood insurance on the property, it will only cover any structural damage and property damage caused by the flood. Anything that belongs to the landlord will be covered, but this is not the case for those renting and their families. As a renter, your personal belongings are not included in this policy, leaving you uninsured and forced to replace your personal property in such an event. Renters should have their own flood policy to prevent loss of all belongings.  

Get Your Policy Today

Although you do not own the home you are renting, you do own the possessions and property within. Although your renter insurance policy protects these belongings, flood damage is not covered. Protect your family and all of your property today with a flood insurance policy. ACU Insurance Services proudly serves the League City, TX area and has an agent ready to assist you today.