What do I need to know about flood insurance when buying a home?
I've been checking properties against the FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer. What are the implications of the different flood zones for flood insurance?
can be complicated, so it’s great you’re doing your research.
When it comes to flood risk, there are low-risk areas and high-risk areas. These are the different zones and how they correspond to risk:
X/B/C zones: Low-risk area
AH Zone: High-Risk area
AE Zone: High-Risk Area
VE Zone: High-Risk Area
If your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, you can purchase flood insurance directly through FEMA. If they don’t, you can still purchase flood insurance through a private provider like
Some lenders require flood insurance when purchasing a home, so you’ll want to check with your mortgage provider as well. Even if it’s not required, purchasing flood insurance can protect your home from damage. Homeowner’s policies often exclude water damage, so a separate policy is beneficial.
If you’d like help shopping for home and car insurance, use the
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