Know the flood insurance you need. Which policy covers what type of damage? [Fort Worth Star-Telegram]

With over 9 inches of rain falling in the Dallas-Fort Worth area Monday causing flooding in several neighborhoods, many residents are still sifting through the damage.

Flooding can be costly. Just an inch of water can tally up to $25,000 in repairs, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The National Weather Service reported Monday that the 9.19 inches of rain recorded at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport was the second wettest 24-hour period ever. Sunday night to Monday’s rainfall totals were only 0.38 inches behind the wettest 24-hour period recorded in 1932 at 9.57 inches.

In the U.S. alone, flooding kills more people every year than tornadoes, hurricanes or lighting, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory..

The question many residents have is what will my insurance cover? Here are some things to consider:

What should I know about buying flood insurance?

Flood insurance can either be purchased from private companies or through the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program.

When it comes to purchasing flood insurance, the Better Business Bureau has laid out a few tips, whether you purchase from a private company or government carriers:

What does flood insurance cover?

A National Flood Insurance Program policy covers direct physical losses to structures and belongings. The NFIP offers two types of coverage — building and contents.

Building coverage includes:

Contents coverage with NFIP includes:

Here’s what is not covered by the two NFIP plans:

What should I know about filing an insurance claim?

In the event of flooding or groundwater damage, it’s time to file with your insurance provider. Here’s a few tips from the Better Business Bureau when it comes to filing a claim:

What should I know about choosing a company for repairs or clean up?

Anytime there is a disastrous weather event, unscrupulous contractors will come out of the woodwork to offer their services. The Better Business Bureau has a few tips when choosing a company:

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