NH Insurance Department: Know Your Flood Coverage, Understand Your Risk

CONCORD, N.H., April 6 -- The New Hampshire Department of Insurance issued the following news release:

Because April showers sometimes bring more than May flowers, the New Hampshire Insurance Department wants you to make sure you understand your home's flood risk and whether you are protected, just in case.

"Floods are one of the most common natural disasters," says New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner Roger Sevigny. "Your homeowners insurance policy may cover fire, tornado, or even earthquake damage, but most policies exclude damage caused by flooding - it's important to find out whether you' re adequately covered."

Flood coverage

Read your homeowners policy and to talk to your insurance agent or insurance company if you have any questions. Homeowners policies that cover some flood damage only do so by a specific amendment to the insurance contract, and only for a certain dollar amount. That means, unless you made a specific effort to get flood insurance coverage, you likely don't have it.

If you don't have flood cove rage, ask an agent what kind of flood coverage is right for your property and how much it will cost. Actual flood insurance (as opposed to an amended homeowners policy) is regulated by the federal government, through the National Flood Insurance Program, and it is only available within communities that participate in the NFIP (to see if your city or town participates, see this list: https://www.fema.gov/cis/NH.html). Rates are fixed by the federal government, so your rate will be the same regardless whether you purchase flood insurance through an insurance agent or directly from the NFIP.

What to do after a flood

If you have flood insurance and your property has been flooded, here are some steps to consider:

* Take photos of all of the damage.

* Begin to dry out the building and personal property.

* Keep air conditioning (or , if cool, your heat ) running, to assist in drying out of the property; if no heating/cooling, keep windows open and have fans blowing to assist in drying.

* Look for any documents relating to the purchase of the flood-damaged property .

* If your carpet and pad have been saturated by the floodwater, cut and remove the carpet and pad; please save a small (2-by-2-foot) piece of the carpet to show to the insurance adjuster.

* If your carpet is damp, pull the carpet loose, remove the pad and dry the floor.

* Keep oriental rugs wet - roll them up and take to professional cleaners for proper cleaning or evaluation.

* Clean floors, walls, and cabinets with a mixture of 1-part bleach, 4-parts water.

* If cleaning is removing water lines, please take photos of the interior and exterior water-line depth.

* Separate the damaged from the undamaged property; maintain control over the damaged property (keep it in the backyard or garage or shed, if possible, so that thieves do not remove it).

* Begin writing a list of damaged property for the adjuster.

* Call an appliance repair company to have technician clean, service , and provide repair estimate for flood-damaged appliances.

* Call a heating company to have a technician clean, service , and provide a repair estimate for flood - damaged heating/cooling equipment.

* Beware of fraudulent schemes after a flood:

* Protect yourself by getting more than one bid from contractors and requesting at least three references.

* Ask for proof of necessary licenses, building permits, insurance and bonding.

* Record the contractor's license plate number and driver's license number, and then check for any complaints with the Better Business Bureau.

Know what you have: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners offers a free, downloadable home inventory checklist. You also may download a free home inventory app.

For more information, visit https://www.fema.gov/ national-flood-insurance-program.

The New Hampshire Insurance Department can help you with questions or concerns about your existing coverage. To speak to a member of the Consumer Services Department, call at 603-271-2261 or email consumerservices@ins.nh.gov.