03 Sep Visalia California Flood Insurance
A common adage offers the following advice about history: “You’ve got to know where you came from to know where you’re going.” Essentially, this is saying that our history dictates a lot of what our future might hold. If we don’t like what we have seen and wish to avoid a repeat of unpleasant events, we can be proactive and take steps to hopefully change our fortune for the better. A good example of this might be the topic of flood insurance in Visalia, California.
History tells us that the Visalia is affected by floodwaters due to the topography of the area: bodies of water and their watersheds, man-made structures, natural sloping of the land, etc. From the time the city was founded until the present day, property owners in Visalia have had to deal with issues of flooding. Flood mitigation steps have been taken throughout the years, but a statistically significant risk for flooding still remains in much of the area. Since we know what has happened in the past, we know both what can happen if flood insurance policies are or are not in place when a flood occurs.
| What are Flood Zones?
FEMA designates different flood zones according to the depth and cause of floodwaters. Here are definitions for some of the different flood zones in Visalia:
Zone X: This zone is not a SFHA and is therefore at less risk for flooding. While a minimal risk is present, property owners in these areas are still encouraged to obtain a flood insurance policy.
Zone A: Areas in this zone are classified as a SFHA, but FEMA has not determined the Base Flood Elevation, or the level to which water would rise in the event of a flood.
Zone AE: FEMA has determined a Base Flood Elevation but has not signified what that elevation is. |
The occurrence of a flood in Visalia is simply a matter of time. In a thirty year period, statistics tell us that properties in many areas of the city will have a twenty-five percent chance of flooding at least once. These areas are known as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The damage costs related to these floodwaters are likely to cost tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair, and residents without flood insurance policies will be left to pay these costs out-of-pocket.
Since we know the historical risk and we know the outcome that the unprepared will face, the proactive step would be to research the type of flood insurance policies available on the market for Visalia property owners. The first program, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), is funded by the federal government and has been available for purchase through local, regional, and national insurance carriers since the 1960s. A second program, the National Catastrophe Flood Insurance Program (NCIP), is privately-backed and is available in only a limited number of states, including California.
Another proactive step for Visalia, California residents considering the purchase of flood insurance would be to compare the type of coverage offered by each program. The NFIP offers a straight-forward policy with more limitations on amount of coverage, while the NCIP has more inclusive terms and offers more expanded coverage. Premiums for the policies may differ depending on the program as well, as the NFIP premium might be subsidized in some circumstances. Property owners should take time to carefully consider all of their insurance options.
Understanding the historical flood risk faced by the city of Visalia and taking appropriate steps to purchase an adequate flood insurance policy will provide protection against potential future flood-related damage costs and the peace of mind that goes along with it! Contact us now for more information about the Visalia California 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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