WATERBURY, VT – February 11, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) – It’s not too early to think about flood insurance; in fact, time is of the essence.
Most flood insurance policies require a 30-day wait period before they take effect. That means as a spring thaw approaches, those in flood hazard areas may need to act soon to ensure coverage for any flooding events that may happen this year. A spring flood is never a guarantee, but snow pack and ice jams could cause flooding and Mother Nature has been known to cause damage in the spring thaw. It’s always good to be ready for anything.
Vermont Emergency Management recommends those homeowners and businesses in flood plains consider purchasing flood insurance. Policies can be purchased from individual insurance agents, or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
NFIP is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and can be less expensive than a private policy; in some cases, those savings can be as much as 50. To take part in the NFIP, a homeowner must live in a community that takes part in the program. Most Vermont cities and towns do take part in the program, but call your local government office to see if the community is involved or contact Vermont’s NFIP Coordinator, Rob Evans at 802-241-1554.
For more information on the National Flood Insurance Program, you may call FEMA at 1-800-427-4661, or visit www.fema.gov/business/nfip or www.floodsmart.gov.
For additional information on the information above, call Vermont Emergency Management at 1-800-347-0488.
