With storms coming to Whatcom, here's what you should know about flood insurance

Feb. 4--As Whatcom County continues to dry out before the next storms arrive, flood insurance may be on the minds of homeowners and business owners.

Typical property insurance policies do not cover damage done by floods. If a property is in a flood-prone area, lenders are likely to require owners to get flood insurance, according to the Washington State Insurance Commissioner's office.

Many roads remained closed in northern Whatcom County on Monday afternoon after a deluge of rain hit the area over the weekend. More rain and snow is expected for the rest of the week.

Getting flood insurance for property owners in areas that don't typically flood can be a tough sell, but it can be relatively inexpensive and is helpful if gutter/drainage issues develop, said Marty Stauffer of Stauffer Insurance in Lynden. It is significantly more expensive to get insurance for property in flood-prone areas, he added.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency notes on its website that property owners outside of flood zones file more than 25% of the claims nationwide. It also estimated that three inches of floodwater in a home will cost about $15,000 in repairs.

While Stauffer hasn't heard from clients about damage from this past weekend's floods, he has seen neighbors dealing with flood issues.

Here are a few things to keep in mind with flood insurance:

-- While general home insurance doesn't cover floods, comprehensive auto insurance generally covers vehicle flood damage, Stauffer said. Cars are also usually covered when a driver attempts to cross a flooded road, but Stauffer noted that more claims mean higher prices for everyone.

-- There's usually a waiting period of around 30 days to get flood insurance. That's to prevent a deluge of new policies when people hear the "flood of the century" is in the forecast. The waiting period can sometimes be waived for those who are buying a home, Stauffer said.

-- Even if you don't have flood insurance, you may qualify for some government emergency grants or loans, according to the insurance commission. The website also reminds people to save receipts for temporary repairs and housing.

Stauffer said he is taking this time to talk to clients about two other situations that aren't covered by regular homeowner insurance: Earthquakes and landslides. Earthquake insurance can be expensive, more so than landslides.

"It's a good time to talk to your agent to better learn the best options," Stauffer said.

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