Category: Flood Insurance

At Birdsong Agency Inc. in Snellville, GA, we encourage homeowners to take steps in preparation for hurricane season. Hurricanes can result in flooding and extensive damage. Here are some ways to minimize your risks of water damage and be ready during and after a storm.

Know Your Risks

Risks will vary depending on your regional location and hurricane’ frequency. Near the coast, storm surges are a major risk, while inland properties face heavy winds and rain. Knowing which conditions are most likely to impact your property will help you prepare adequately.

Obtain Flood Insurance

Standard home policies don’t cover storm surge or flood damage. Review your policy, talk to your agent or the National Flood Insurance Program for details, and invest in water and flood coverage.

Get the Property Prepared

Drains and gutters should be cleared before the storm to let water flow freely rather than impeding on your property. Sandbags can be used to divert water. Unplug electronics and elevate furniture using blocks to keep them out of the water.

Create a Safety Kit

Prepare an emergency kit with food and water for a few days. Add toiletries, medication, flashlights, a radio, batteries, a phone charger, and first-aid products. Essential documents, including birth certificates, wills, and insurance papers, should be placed in an airtight bag that can be stored in a watertight space like a washing machine or dishwasher.

Be Prepared for Hurricane and Tropical Storm Flooding

Being ready is only half the battle when storms strike, even with mitigation plans. Should a storm cause flood damage, your National Flood Insurance agent can guide you about how to start processing a claim to get repairs underway. Our team at Birdsong Agency Inc. in Snellville, GA can assist you with getting coverage in place.

There are several types of insurance that most individuals know they need to have. Health insurance, car insurance, and homeowners insurance are a few of the basic types most people should have. What about flood insurance? This is one type that the majority of people don’t have or don’t think is necessary. There are four important reasons why you should carry flood insurance in Snellville, GA.

4 Important Reasons to Carry Flood Insurance

1. Most Homeowners Insurance Doesn’t Cover Flood Damage: Unless you’ve already added flood insurance to your policy, it most likely does not cover loss from flooding. However, it isn’t difficult to find a flood policy that meets your individual needs.

2. Nearly Every Property is Vulnerable to Flooding: Even if you don’t live near a body of water, heavy rain can occur almost anywhere and cause flooding. Even an inch of water inside your home can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. With thunderstorms the most common type of natural disaster in Georgia, the state is prone to flooding.

3. Most Floods Do Not Receive Federal Assistance: In order to receive federal assistance for flood damage, an area must be declared a federal disaster area. Most flooding incidents do not receive this kind of declaration.

4. Peace of Mind: Of all the types of accidents and events that can occur that may cause damage to your home, this is one less thing to have to worry about. 

Contact Birdsong Agency Inc. in Snellville, GA

At Birdsong Agency Inc., we can help you find the right kind of flood insurance. Our team has over 50 years of combined experience working in the insurance industry. We also offer home, life, auto, and business insurance. Contact us at Birdsong Agency Inc. today.

Whether you live in a flood-prone area or not, you may want to consider obtaining a flood insurance policy since the weather can be very unpredictable. As a matter of fact, floods are one of the most common natural disasters in the United States. A flood can destroy or damage homes, businesses, and other properties, so it is imperative to understand what flood insurance covers so that you can ensure that you have the proper amount of coverage to protect you and your property.

The agents at the Birdsong Agency Inc. serving the Snellville, GA area want you to know and understand what flood insurance covers and the things it does not cover.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

In general, flood insurance covers damage and losses that are caused by flooding. Most of the time, flood insurance is not included in a regular home insurance policy.

Typically, flood insurance will cover any physical damage that happens to your property due to flooding. This can include the overall structure of your house, such as the walls, ceilings, floors, and foundation, and it can include your personal belongings, furniture, and appliances. Some flood insurance policies will even cover the cost of cleaning, mode eradication, drying out your property, and other expenses.

What It Does Not Cover

Many flood insurance policies have certain exclusions or limitations and one of the big ones is sewer backup. If your basement becomes flooded due to a sewer backup versus just flooding, flood insurance may not cover it. You will need to speak with your insurance agent to make sure you have coverage for that if that is an issue where you live. Flood insurance may also not cover a broken pipe or water heater. You will also need to discuss this with your trusted and experienced insurance agent.

Contact Us Today

To create a flood insurance policy that works well for you and your situation, contact the flood insurance agents at the Birdsong Agency Inc. serving the Snellville, GA area today!

Business owners and operators in the greater Snellville, GA area can turn to the team at Birdsong Agency Inc. for all of their insurance needs. Contact our office today and set up an appointment to learn more about the many benefits of having a flood insurance policy. 

Flood protection for your local office

When it comes to protecting your local office, it can sometimes be difficult to determine if flood insurance is necessary. Of course, anyone who owns property that is located in a flood zone should definitely have a flood insurance policy. However, what about buildings located outside of a flood zone but still sometimes experience floods? The need for flood insurance can be more difficult to ascertain in those situations.

There are a number of different benefits to carrying a flood insurance policy that’s separate from your primary commercial property policy. If your office building is located in a low-lying area or in an area that experiences flooding, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t want to take a closer look at securing a flood insurance policy for the property.

With a separate flood policy for your office, damage that is caused by flooding or flood water could be covered. Many property insurance policies have carve-outs for flood damage, making it necessary to carry an additional policy. A careful review of your primary policy is always a good idea. 

Contact our office today

Birdsong Agency Inc. is proud to serve the insurance needs of Snellville, GA and the surrounding area. There’s no time like the present to review your current insurance and ensure that it provides the coverage your office needs. Contact our office today and learn more about the flood insurance policies that are available in our area. 

The policy assumption process makes it easy for new homeowners to take on the seller’s flood insurance policy. Here, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know if you’re considering buying a home in a flood zone and want to assume the former owner’s flood insurance policy. 

What Is Flood Insurance?

If your home is in a flood zone (as determined by FEMA), you’ll need to purchase flood insurance to protect your property. Thankfully, it’s likely that you’ll be able to take over the policy of the previous homeowner, saving you the hassle of needing to purchase a new policy. 

Why Is Policy Assumption A Smart Move?

Assuming the former homeowner’s policy can lower costs for the buyer. Usually, an elevation certificate is required for a new flood insurance policy. Since the policy for the home already exists, the buyer does not need to go through the process of paying for an elevation certificate. 

Policy assumptions also benefit sellers. It can be hard to sell a home in a flood zone, and passing on a policy to buyers can speed along the process of closing the sale. One thing to watch out for: typically, when a home in a flood zone is sold, the seller receives a refund, as insurance policies are usually paid a year in advance. When insurance policies are a part of the home sale, the seller does not receive a refund.

Need Flood Insurance? Birdsong Agency Inc. Can Help

Insurance agents at Birdsong Agency Inc., serving Snellville, GA, are here to help you through the process of purchasing flood insurance for your new home. Reach out or stop in today to learn more about flood insurance policies.

Flood insurance is not mandatory, but it is good to have it, especially if you live in a flood-prone area. If your property is damaged by a flood, and you do not have proper insurance, you may face expensive repairs that you will have to cover yourself.  If you are thinking about getting this type of insurance, Birdsong Agency Inc. serving clients in Snellville, GA prepared a list of things that are normally covered by flood insurance: 

What Is Covered By Flood Insurance?

Here is what flood insurance usually covers:

• Essential systems in a house. Flood insurance will cover plumbing and electrical systems, water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, fuel tanks with fuel in them, solar energy equipment, cisterns with water in them, and pumps. 
• Window treatments and carpeting. Flood insurance also includes window curtains and blinds, and any type of carpeting installed over wooden floors or unfinished floors. 
• Appliances. Usually, most appliances, including refrigerators, washers, dryers, and dishwashers are covered. 
• Permanently installed bookcases, cabinets, and paneling. However, there are certain limitations you should know about. For example, flood insurance will pay only for damaged cabinets, but not for those that were not affected 
• Personal belongings. Your furniture, electronics, clothes, and other personal stuff are normally covered by flood insurance. 
• A detached garage. Up to 10 percent of your total building coverage can be used toward your detached garage. 

Even though flood insurance is not mandatory, it is still good to have it for additional protection. If you live in Snellville, GA or any other nearby town in the state of Georgia and you are looking for an insurance agency to purchase a flood insurance policy, you should contact Birdsong Agency Inc. Our insurance agents are always ready to answer your questions and help you find the perfect coverage.