Port Aransas Texas Flood Insurance

Port Aransas, Texas is your typical Gulf town. It has a definite maritime vibe (what else would you expect with it being surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and Aransas Bay?), a small-town feel courtesy of a year-round population below 5,000 people, and a thriving tourist industry centered around spring break and summer vacationers.

With water surrounding the barrier island, it is easy to understand why nearly the entire town is classified as a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). SFHAs are areas determined to be at high risk for floods and subsequent related damages. All businesses and homes located in a SFHA are required by law to be covered by a flood insurance policy, to protect the property owner against the exceptionally high costs of flood damages.

Within a SFHA, there are also zone designations given by FEMA and indicate whether or not a hydraulic study of the area has been completed, how deep flood waters could become, and the likely cause of the flooding. Along the Gulf coast, properties are classified as zone VE. This classification designates that in addition to typical flood risks, storm surge would pose a serious flooding problem if a tropical system entered the area. The rest of the town is classified as zone AE, meaning that FEMA has performed studies to determine the Base Flood Elevation for the area. In the event of a flood, waters would be expected to inundate Port Aransas with 8-9 feet of water on average.

As evidenced by the above information, Port Aransas is definitely at high risk for floods and related damages. In the event of a flood, home and business owners could quickly find themselves faced with costs that soar into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is why the federal government requires properties in these types of areas to be covered by flood insurance policies (remember that most standard home or business policies do not cover flooding). Fortunately for Port Aransas residents, there are two options for obtaining a policy.

The first option is a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Policies from the NFIP are subsidized to reduce the cost to the property owner, and premiums can be lowered even further if certain flood mitigation steps are taken to protect the property. The NFIP is a government-backed program and has been, until recently, the only option for obtaining flood insurance.

A second, and newer, option for property owners is to purchase a policy through the National Catastrophe Flood Insurance Program (NCIP). Underwritten by private insurers, the NCIP typically provides more comprehensive coverage and higher coverage limits than the NFIP. Policies can be obtained from private local or regional insurance agents.

Property owners in Port Aransas should take time to carefully evaluate their flood insurance needs and take the steps necessary for activating and purchasing a flood insurance policy. A little hard work and forethought now can save heartache and hundreds of thousands of dollars down the road. Contact us now for more information about the Port Aransas Texas flood insurance.

All information is general in nature and is intended to provide guidance only. It is up to you to request specific coverage options, the agency and agent do not bear this responsibility. Always read the policy if there is a questions about coverage or a claim. If any information herein should conflict with your actual policy’s specific language, the policy language will be controlling.

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