MYTH: I do not need flood insurance.

NFIP Fact: People need flood insurance to protect their most important investment: their homes or businesses. Even if flood insurance is not mandated for your property, you are still at risk—even if you live in a moderate- to low-risk area. Where it can rain, it can flood. Living in a low- to moderate-risk flood zone (Zone X shaded/unshaded), does not mean no risk. In fact, more than 20 percent of all National Flood Insurance Program claims come from outside the areas of highest risk. Protect the life you’ve built and get a quote for the amount of flood insurance you can afford. For more information, view: Why Do I Need Flood Insurance. 

MYTH: My homeowners (or renters) policy covers flood damage.

NFIP Fact: Homeowners and renters insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States, affecting every region and state. Floods cause physical and emotional anguish, as well as financial devastation. In fact, just one inch of water in an average sized home can cause more than $25,000 in damage. Whether you rent or own, make sure to ask your insurance agent about contents coverage. For most standard policies, contents coverage is not automatically included with the building coverage. For more information, view: Why Do I Need Flood Insurance. 

Purchasing flood insurance is one of the most important steps residents can take to protect the lives they’ve built. Just one inch of water in a home can cause more than $25,000 in damage. Most homeowners and renters policies do not cover flood damage. Call your insurance agent to get a quote today. Call 1-800-427-4661 or visit www.floodsmart.gov. Don’t delay. Policies typically take up to 30 days to go into effect.

For more information about NFIP Flood Insurance, visit the Floodplain Management Section webpage  HERE.

MYTH: I cannot buy flood insurance.

NFIP Fact: If you live in a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you can buy flood insurance!  It does not matter if you live outside a floodplain, iff you are renting your home, if you have already paid off your mortgage, or even if you have recently flooded:  you can still buy a NFIP policy.  

If you are told that you can’t purchase flood insurance, call the Floodplain Management Section at 501-682-1622 to find out if your community participates in the NFIP.    To request a list of agents that sell NFIP policies, contact the NFIP Referral Call Center at 1-800-427-4661.  Remember, buy now before the next event.  Most policies take 30 days to go into effect. For more information, view: How Do I Buy Flood Insurance.

AR Fact for Private Flood Insurance: Flood damage is not typically covered by a homeowner’s policy.  Arkansans can purchase private flood insurance at any time, even if they do no not live in a floodplain or high-flood-risk area.  You can also purchase private flood insurance even if your mortgage broker doesn’t require it.  Keep in mind that any policy bought today will not cover the current flood event, but you will be prepared for a future flood.  If you have any questions, please contact the Arkansas Insurance Department (AID) Consumer Services Division at 800-852-5494.

MYTH: My current policy recently expired, so I have no coverage.

NFIP Fact: All policies expire at 12:01 a.m. on the last day of the policy term. However, coverage remains in force for 30 days after the expiration of the policy and claims for losses that occur during the period will be honored provided that the full renewal premium is received within 30 days of the policy expiration date. For NFIP policyholders, contact your insurance company immediately if your policy recently expired or canceled to determine renewal. If you don’t know your insurance company, call the NFIP Referral Call Center at 1-800-427-4661. For more information, view: Answers to Questions About the National Flood Insurance Program.

AR Fact for Private Flood Insurance: On May 21, 2019, AID set a 60-day window where flood victims are protected from having any type of insurance policy cancelled for non-payment of premiums. This is not a waiver of payment. Policyholders must still pay premiums. Arkansans must contact their insurance companies to set up a payment plan to continue coverage once the 60-day window expires. If you have any questions, please contact AID’s Consumer Services Division at 800-852-5494 or view our 60-Day Bulletin for Flood Victims.