Category: Flood Insurance

Living in a gorgeous coastal city like Charleston has its upsides. Residents enjoy breathtaking sunsets, historical charm, and living in a vibrant southern community. Conversely, long-term residents know that coastal storms and hurricanes blowing through the city can have devastating financial and emotional effects.

The insurance professionals at South Carolina Federal Insurance Solutions want to help you minimize the financial aftermath that can result from flood damage.

Five Essential Flood Insurance Tips

Tip #1. Assess Your Home Flood Risk 

The first step is to assess the flood risk for your property. Learn about risks to your property by evaluating local flood maps, analyzing past flood events, and seeking the advice of an experienced flood insurance agent.

Tip #2. Purchase Flood Insurance Coverage

Devastating tornadoes and hurricanes that spawn flooding can happen with little to no notice. Choose a comprehensive flood insurance policy that will protect your home’s structure and interior contents against the unexpected. Check out the online quoting option on our Flood Insurance page!

Tip #3. Stay Informed About Local Weather

Staying on top of local weather-related news events can help residents secure their valuables or erect emergency flood barriers.

Tip #4. Mitigate Flood Damage Risks 

Mitigate the potential risks of damaging floods caused by rainstorms and storm surges by taking preventative measures. Elevating electrical systems, installing flood-resistant barriers, and maintaining proper drainages are all mitigation techniques that can reduce flood impacts.

Tip #5. Review Your Policy 

Homeowners should review all insurance policies annually with their insurance advisor to ensure they have sufficient comprehensive coverage to protect the interior and exterior of their homes.

Contact a knowledgeable and friendly advisor at Insurance Solutions for more information on flood insurance today!

Buying a home anywhere requires careful consideration; buying one in a flood zone requires you to consider additional factors. At South Carolina Federal Insurance Solutions, we encourage prospective homeowners to work through this convenient checklist when considering primary or vacation property in a flood zone.

Buying A House in a Flood Zone

First, find your zone on the FEMA Flood Map to determine whether the property you’re considering is in a flood zone. Zones are categorized as high risk, moderate risk, or minimal risk. It’s important to keep in mind that no location is risk-free. All homes face some risk of flood wherever they are located.

Remember to ask the selling agent how often the home floods and whether any previous damages have been repaired. Knowing how often the property has flooded in the past and how the damage was addressed will help you make an informed decision about the home.

Then, ensure your offer is contingent upon a satisfactory home inspection. Homes in high-risk zones may have experienced flooding before, and it’s important to confirm that any previous water damage was repaired according to industry standards before you purchase. If any unrepaired damage is identified, request that it be repaired and inspected by a professional before closing.

Finally, meet with your insurance agent who can help you find a policy that meets your needs as a homeowner. It’s important to understand that flood damage is not covered by most standard homeowners policies.

We Can Help!

The experienced team at Insurance Solutions is here to help you learn about insurance coverages to financially protect your new home. Contact us today to get started!

If you’re a homeowner in the Charleston, SC area, you know that flood damage is always possible. That’s why it’s so important to have flood insurance. But what happens if your home does suffer flood damage?

How does the claims process work? 

Step 1: Contact Your Insurance Company

You first need to contact your insurance company as soon as you realize that your home has suffered flood damage. They will assign an adjuster to your case and explain what to do next.

Step 2: Document the Damage

The next step is to document the damage. Take photos or videos of the damage, and list all the damaged or destroyed items. This will be helpful when it comes time to file your claim. Contact your SCF Solutions representative for assistance if you need help with your claim. Our team of experts will help you through every step of the process.

Step 3: File Your Claim

Once you have everything documented, it’s time to file your claim. Your insurance company will likely have an online portal that you can use to do this. If not, they will give you instructions on how to submit your claim forms.

Step 4: Wait for Your Payment

After you’ve filed your claim, all you can do is wait for your payment. The insurance company will review your claim and send you a check for the appropriate amount. In some cases, they may send someone to repair the damage directly.

Give Us A Call

If your home suffers flood damage, don’t panic! Just follow these four simple steps, and you’ll be on your way to getting compensated by your insurance company. And if you’re not already insured against flooding, now is the time to contact SCF Solutions in Charleston, SC for a quote! We’ll make sure you’re protected against this ever-present danger.

If you live in a flood zone, you know that the flood season can be a stressful time. The constant threat of rising waters can make it difficult to relax and enjoy your home. However, there are a few things you can do to help reduce your stress levels and make the most of your situation. By taking some simple precautions and being prepared for the worst, you can minimize the impact of flooding on your life. South Carolina Federal Insurance Solutions provides you with the following guide for living in a flood zone.

Tips for Living in a Flood Zone

1. Know Your Risk

The first step to reducing your stress during flood season is to know your risk. If you live in a high-risk area, you will need to take more precautions than those who live in a lower-risk area. Be sure to check your local flood maps and talk to your insurance advisor to determine your level of risk.

2. Have a Plan

Once you know your risk, you can start to prepare a plan. If you live in a high-risk area, you should have an evacuation route planned out. Be sure to practice your route and make sure everyone in your household knows where to go. You should also have an emergency kit prepared with food, water, and other supplies.

3. Get Flood Insurance

For those who live in a designated flood zone, purchasing flood insurance is not optional – it is required by most mortgage lenders. Remember, your homeowner’s insurance policy probably doesn’t cover flooding, and even if it does, the coverage is likely to be limited. A separate flood insurance policy can financially help protect your home and belongings from flood damage.

Get Flood Insurance in South Carolina

For those living in a flood zone, it’s important to know your risk and be prepared. Insurance Solutions can help you assess your risk to help you select a flood insurance policy to fit your needs. For more information on how to protect your most valuable asset or to get a quote, call us today at (833) 359-0725.

Flooding is a devastating natural disaster. In the last few years, flooding has occurred in places that have never experienced flooding before. Starting this month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program’s pricing model will take into consideration a property’s unique flood risk factoring in climate change. If you haven’t considered purchasing flood insurance before, this might be the right time to get a free quote from an Insurance Solutions advisor.  

Flooding isn’t usually covered by a standard homeowners policy. Instead, you’ll need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy. It is important that you assess your risk level. What is the chance that your location will experience flooding? In the last few years, cities and towns across the country have been hit by what is referred to as 100-year floods. They usually only have a 1% chance of it happening in any given year.  

Many South Carolinians live on or near a lake, river, beach or other high-risk area where it’s worth considering flood insurance even if your mortgage company doesn’t require it. Insurance Solutions is happy to help explain more about this important coverage. It is sold in two parts; property and contents. Homeowners can purchase one or both parts.

Anyone who thinks they need flood insurance and who lives in a participating community is eligible to purchase it. Flood Insurance is typically purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program. Insurance Solutions offers coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program but also has access to several private carriers that may be able to offer expanded coverages and more competitive rates. If you are interested in a quote, Insurance Solutions has a team of insurance specialists who are ready to help you.