If you’re a new homeowner in Scotia, NY, or you’ve recently moved to New York, you might be curious about the limitations of your home insurance coverage. Many homeowners are often surprised to discover that traditional insurance policies do not cover flood protection. If you’re located near a river, such as the Mohawk River, which has a history of flooding, obtaining the right insurance policies is crucial for protecting and preserving your investment. At Rowledge & Falvo Insurance Agency, we’ll work alongside you to ensure adequate protection for your home against flooding year-round.
What’s Covered in Standard Homeowners’ Policies?
Standard homeowners’ policies in New York include coverage against theft, vandalism, liability, wind, hail, fire, and smoke damage. However, this coverage does not extend to flood damage or unexpected flooding.
How to Obtain Flood Insurance in NY
Obtaining flood insurance in Scotia is possible through private flood insurance providers and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Acquiring flood insurance via the NFIP (backed by FEMA) is one of the most common methods of protecting your home’s interior and exterior from unexpected flooding, regardless of the root cause of the flood.
Flood insurance, when properly obtained, covers:
- Contents (from furniture and electronics to clothing)
- Building/structure (from your foundation and electrical configurations to HVAC equipment and utilities).
To check if you live in a flood zone in Scotia, research FEMA flood maps. Compare high-risk zones to moderate-to-low-risk areas. Even low-risk areas contribute to approximately 20% of flood claims in and around Scotia.
To ensure your tranquility anytime you live near water or a river in Scotia, NY, it’s essential to review the existing homeowners’ policies you have. You can also work with an agency, such as Rowledge & Falvo Insurance Agency to learn more about flood protection add-ons.