Spring Flood Season Reminder: Are You Covered?

As we move into spring here in Wisconsin, melting snow and heavy rain can quickly lead to flooding issues. With Flood Safety Awareness Week coming up, it’s a good time to talk about something many homeowners overlook.

A lot of people assume flood coverage only matters if they live in a designated flood plain. In reality, I often remind clients that even if your home isn’t in a flood zone, you may still benefit from flood protection.

When we talk about “flooding,” it doesn’t always mean a river overflowing its banks. In many cases, flood damage can simply be surface water entering your home through a lower-level window, foundation opening, or other vulnerable area.

There are a couple coverage options worth considering.

One is commonly called inland flood coverage, which can sometimes be added as an endorsement to your homeowners policy. This type of coverage may help protect against certain types of surface water intrusion that standard policies typically don’t cover.

It’s important to remember that many flood-related coverages have a 30-day waiting period before they take effect. In other words, you can’t add the coverage once a storm is already on the way.

Another coverage I often recommend, especially during Wisconsin’s snowmelt season, is water backup or sump pump overflow coverage. If your sump pump fails or a drain backs up, this protection can help cover the resulting damage.

Spring weather can be unpredictable, and the best time to review your coverage is before problems arise.

If you’d like us to review your policy or talk through your options, feel free to reach out to our office anytime. We’re always happy to help make sure you’re properly protected.