The First-Time Homebuyer’s Journey and You
The springtime is filled with amazing opportunities for insurance agents to find new clients as people buy their first homes. In a lot of ways, first time homebuyers are like baby animals in the spring – the world is new to them. You as an insurance agent have the unique opportunity to guide them into making their first smart financial decision when it comes to the new home – getting flood insurance.
First Time Homebuyers
When that warm spring air settles in across the nation, birds start singing, flowers bloom, and Americans begin to emerge from the cold in search of the perfect house, condo or apartment to call their own. Between April and June, like clockwork, people are out in droves with their realtors to find a place to call home.
A person is the most likely to buy insurance for their new home while in the process of homebuying. Many states offer financial education, and you can help educate your clients, too, by teaching them about the nation’s costliest natural disaster—flooding.
Be Helpful
As an insurance agent, you are their thought leader. You are the gatekeeper of knowledge when your clients talk to you about their new home. It’s critical you speak with them about protecting the life they’re building with flood insurance. Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. When people move into their first home, they are laying down their roots. This new home could have the floor on which their child takes their first steps. Give them the peace of mind that their corner of the world is protected against the most common disaster the nation faces–flooding. A property does not need to be near water to flood, and more than 40% of the NFIP’s claims come from outside high-risk flood zones. These are things people don’t like to, and haven’t needed to, think about—and don’t necessarily already know.
You’re Doing Your Part
Equipping new homeowners with the knowledge they need to make an informed decision is half the battle. When your clients ask whether they really need flood insurance, remind them that anywhere it can rain, it can flood. The NFIP has resources you can provide to answer questions to help them towards protecting their home.
What are my next steps?
Get the word out! Flooding is something anyone and everyone can experience. Use resources, talking points and tools to educate your clients. By talking with first time homebuyers about flooding, you join FEMA and its NFIP in their mission to protect Americans from flood disasters.
