This Week is Flood Safety Preparedness Week

Flood Safety Preparedness Week in Georgia is this week and Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens wants to remind Georgians that a flood insurance policy can be a valuable addition to standard homeowners, renters and business owners’ coverage.

Hudgens said that purchasing flood insurance should be an important consideration for all consumers.

He added that it is estimated that between 20 and 25 percent of flood claims are filed by people living outside of mapped high-risk flood areas.

According to Hudgens, flood insurance coverage for a home or business is available for up to $250,000 from the federally backed National Flood Insurance Program.

He said a standard flood policy from the NFIP will cover flood damage to the building, as well as the furnace, water heater; air conditioner, floor surfaces, and debris clean up, while in most cases renters insurance is available for tenants to insure the building and/or contents.

Hudgens said people can purchase NFIP flood insurance directly from any state-licensed property and casualty insurance agent or insurance company if a community participates in the NFIP.

For more information about flood insurance, to rate risk, and even estimate what a flood policy would cost, people can visit www.FloodSmart.gov or call the NFIP at 1-888-379-9531.