This past week, South Florida residents faced record-breaking rainfall. Fort Lauderdale was hit the hardest, with about 26 inches of rain falling in a 24-hour period. Streets were flooded, cars malfunctioned and got abandoned, and residents were forced to live in partly-submerged homes until the rainfall stopped. Regardless of whether you were affected by the recent flooding, or if you want to be prepared for any future disasters, here is some advice on how to handle flooding as a Floridian.
If your home or car suffered damage from flooding, your number one priority should be to file a claim with your insurance provider. In this day and age, claims can be filed through your insurance carrier’s app or website, but you can also contact your insurance agent. A car’s comprehensive coverage covers flood damage, as well as other potential dangers like fallen trees, fire, theft, etc. However, while comprehensive coverage is mandatory for those with auto loans, keep in mind that it is optional for those who lease or fully own their cars, so it’s not guaranteed that every Floridian driver will be covered.
Only flood insurance can cover flood damage in your home. Flood insurance is a policy separate from home insurance, and it can be acquired privately or by the federal government through the National Flood Insurance Program. Although, federal flood insurance won’t cover living expenses as thoroughly as a private flood insurance policy might. It is also advised to contact an electrician before activating or deactivating power in a particularly flooded home, and to start drying out the water to contain any further damage once it is safe to do so. And don’t forget to throw out any soaked food!
Living in Florida puts you at the most vulnerable spot for flooding in the country. This also means that in times of disaster, contractors and alleged adjusters might flood your home themselves offering their services. While some of these offers might be genuine, others might be looking to scam you, so it’s important to do proper research into any contractor you might want to hire. Regardless, acquiring a flood insurance policy as a Floridian is imperative. A federal flood insurance policy takes 30 days to become active after purchase, so now is the best time to acquire one, and to check with your insurance agent if your home and car are properly covered.