After Superstorm Sandy, The Jersey Shore is all too familiar with the need for flood insurance. And Hurricane season is still in full force through November. Most homeowners insurance policies do not protect your property against flood damage. While flood insurance will cost a little bit extra, there are ways that you can lower your monthly premium -- namely by preparing your home in order to prevent potential flood damage. The following are a few ways that you can do just that:
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- If your home is located in a floodplain, then it’s more prone to flooding than more elevated areas. By either moving your home to a more elevated area or elevating it, you can end up saving a substantial amount of money on your insurance premiums.
- Make sure that none of your heating, electrical plumbing, air conditioning or ventilation equipment is located below the base flood elevation, as this can lead to your flood insurance being more expensive. Relocate this equipment to a more elevated area if they are and you should see your rates go down.
- If your home is in a floodplain, then you’ll want at least two flood openings with one square inch of opening per square foot of enclosed area.
- If you are planning on building a home in a floodplain, do not build a basement. If you have a crawlspace in your home, consider filling it in to help prevent issues.
For more information about purchasing flood insurance for your coastal New Jersey home, be sure to contact us online today at CCW Insurance or give us a call at 732-280-2800.
