Three Steps to Prepare Clients for Flooding

It seems everywhere you look, flooding has been–and only seems to be–getting worse and more frequent. Yet in every city, town, and suburb across the country, people aren’t doing what they can to protect their homes from flooding. While many people understand that the risk of flooding is real and rising, they aren’t making the connection that flooding is a risk to their homes. With flood risks posed across the nation, there are three steps you can take to help your clients prepare for unexpected flooding. 

1 - Help Your Clients Understand the Risk of Flooding 

• Flood risk is more than just a coastal problem. 
  • Flooding can happen anywhere it can rain. Whether because of recent wildfires or snowmelt, or simply an aging drain system, flooding is the new normal.
  • 98% of all U.S. counties have experienced a flood event.  
• About 40% of flood claims occur outside high-risk zones. 
  • Low risk doesn’t mean no risk. Those who insure their home regardless of their risk can rebuild more easily with flood insurance.  
• Homeowners and renters insurance policies don’t cover flooding. 
  • People don’t know what they don’t know. Help your clients to understand that what flood insurance protects, their homeowners insurance does not.   

As an insurance agent, you have your clients’ trust. Help families and businesses understand their options for financial protection.  

2 - Help your clients protect their homes and belongings from flood damage by getting SET. 

• Store Important Documents. 
• Elevate and Anchor Utilities. 
• Toss out Debris. 

3 - Help your clients protect their homes with flood insurance.  

• Flood insurance is the average person’s best chance of repairing costly flood damage. 
  • The average flood insurance payout is $68,000. When just one inch of water can cause roughly $25,000 of damage to a home, the cost of rebuilding without insurance is financially draining. 

Flood insurance keeps your clients in control by affording them peace of mind, knowing they’re protected from flood damage. 

For additional resources and talking points, visit agents.floodsmart.gov/flooding.

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