Be prepared this Spring with Flood Insurance

This winter has been one for the record books in Minnesota, and as the temperature begins to warm up the melting snowpack will increase the chance of major spring flooding for homes and businesses. To prepare for the possibility, Senator David Tomassoni (DFL-Chisholm) encourages Minnesotans, who may live in a flood plain or who may have experienced flooding in the past, to consider purchasing flood insurance as soon as possible.

“Homeowners need to be prepared for the potential of major spring flooding, and it’s better to take pre-emptive action than risk paying the costs of major flood damage later,” Sen. Tomassoni. “Though Spring is only just beginning, it wouldn’t take much for the snow to melt quickly and dangerously. Be sure you’re covered today.”

Three truths about flood insurance:

A standard homeowner’s insurance policy does not provide flood coverage.

You cannot depend on disaster assistance. You only get assistance when the President declares a disaster. Since less than 50 percent of floods are declared disasters, most flood victims are on their own.

Paying for flood insurance is less expensive than paying back a disaster loan. Most disaster aid comes in the form of loans, which must be paid back. The average loan payment on a $50,000 disaster loan is $240 per month ($2,880 per year) for 30 years compared to a $100,000 flood insurance premium which is about $400 per year ($33 per month).

“Contact your insurance agent, as time is of the essence, because a flood insurance policy purchased today will not go into effect for 30 days,” added Senator Tomassoni.

More information about flood insurance is available at https://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/your-home/protect/other/floods/basics.jsp.