Severe Spring Weather Brings Possible Perils to Homeowners

This spring is producing an unprecedented amount of storms for certain regions throughout the U.S., especially in the month of April. Many states are experiencing disastrous flooding as a result of excessive rainfall; reporting one of the rainiest Aprils on record. This time of year, many people evaluate their homeowner's insurance policies to make sure they're covered under all circumstances.

Homeowners need be aware of the weather conditions prevalent in their region in order to adequately protect their homes against the unforgiving forces of nature. While most basic coverage protects against property damage, the extent to which homeowners are covered varies.

According to the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration, property damage insurance helps repair your home and personal property when damaged by such perils as fire, lightning, windstorm or hail.

However, many people are unaware that basic homeowner's insurance doesn't protect against floods. Rather, a homeowner is responsible for purchasing additional flood insurance – usually obtained through the federal governments National Flood Insurance Program.

Flooding can happen anywhere, but certain areas are more prone to water damage than others. The federal government's NFIP defines a high-risk home as having a 1 percent chance of flood annually, giving it a 26 percent chance over the life of a 30-year mortgage.

People living in low-lying areas, down stream from a dam or in areas with heavy snowfall are among those at a higher risk of experiencing flooding. By going to FloodSmart.gov, one can evaluate their home's risk for flooding based on the area they live and the approximate costs of water damage.

Flooding can damage furniture, personal items and the overall structure of a home. It's very important for homeowners to evaluate their risk for flood and get the necessary coverage to protect themselves. As the spring continues, the threat of severe weather looms; which is always unforgiving when it comes to home damage.

Read the original blog post by DotLoop.

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