My fellow Floridians

[2000cs]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Anyone near the coast / flood zone is required to have flood insurance if they have financing.

Only if you’re in a flood zone. We are in zone X, so not required. One block away, lower ground, it would be required. Another block away and it would be required and really nice to have since they are flooded today.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

Only if you’re in a flood zone. We are in zone X, so not required. One block away, lower ground, it would be required. Another block away and it would be required and really nice to have since they are flooded today.

Yes required in a flood zone and at least in SE FL I am pretty sure everything along / close to the coast is considered a flood zone (but not the only flood zone area). We are pretty far west of the Atlantic and not in a flood zone but still have it. It isn’t all that expensive so have never considered skipping it.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Yes required in a flood zone and at least in SE FL I am pretty sure everything along / close to the coast is considered a flood zone (but not the only flood zone area). We are pretty far west of the Atlantic and not in a flood zone but still have it. It isn’t all that expensive so have never considered skipping it.

Now considering the much higher premium we pay specifically for hurricane coverage and higher deductible for hurricane etc... does that apply to ALL damage during a hurricane. So if your home floods during a hurricane would that be covered under your hurricane add-on or your flood insurance? I would assume that if your roof flies off or your screened patio flies off that would be covered by hurricane, but what if a tree falls on your house?

[kscarrol]

Flood insurance covers all rising water and is a separate policy from homeowners. Homeowners will cover wind damage. And yes a tree falling on your house should be covered by homeowners.

The insurance companies are awful. After Katrina they tried to say all damages were flood related to make the federal program responsible for paying claims. Two important things to remember, the insurance company is not your friend and will fight you tooth and nail over every little item claimed, and FEMA is a $hit $how. DO NOT count on them for funds and watch out for fraudulent claims. After hurricane Ida last year, a FEMA claims rep came to inspect our house for the damages as someone used our name and address to get cash after the storm. We had no damage and the claims rep just shook his head and said something to the affect of "ok, another fraudulent claim". If we had really need those funds we would have been SOL...

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Flood insurance covers all rising water and is a separate policy from homeowners. Homeowners will cover wind damage. And yes a tree falling on your house should be covered by homeowners.

The insurance companies are awful. After Katrina they tried to say all damages were flood related to make the federal program responsible for paying claims. Two important things to remember, the insurance company is not your friend and will fight you tooth and nail over every little item claimed, and FEMA is a $hit $how. DO NOT count on them for funds and watch out for fraudulent claims. After hurricane Ida last year, a FEMA claims rep came to inspect our house for the damages as someone used our name and address to get cash after the storm. We had no damage and the claims rep just shook his head and said something to the affect of "ok, another fraudulent claim". If we had really need those funds we would have been SOL...

This is my understand as well. Flood for rising waters. Homeowners for everything else. Insurance companies not your friend and FEMA is a mess.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

Now considering the much higher premium we pay specifically for hurricane coverage and higher deductible for hurricane etc... does that apply to ALL damage during a hurricane. So if your home floods during a hurricane would that be covered under your hurricane add-on or your flood insurance? I would assume that if your roof flies off or your screened patio flies off that would be covered by hurricane, but what if a tree falls on your house?

In my experience the insurance company will apply the (higher) wind storm / hurricane deductible if there is a hurricane. At that point, you want everything treated as a single claim with a single deductible. So if a tree falls in your house because of a hurricane, it is part of a hurricane claim. If a tree falls on your house because an idiot crashes into it, the lower non-hurricane deductible applies. Any damage caused by the tree follows that claim (e.g., water gets in through hole in roof and wrecks your floor and furniture, it’s part of hurricane claim on homeowners policy).

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

In my experience the insurance company will apply the (higher) wind storm / hurricane deductible if there is a hurricane. At that point, you want everything treated as a single claim with a single deductible. So if a tree falls in your house because of a hurricane, it is part of a hurricane claim. If a tree falls on your house because an idiot crashes into it, the lower non-hurricane deductible applies. Any damage caused by the tree follows that claim (e.g., water gets in through hole in roof and wrecks your floor and furniture, it’s part of hurricane claim on homeowners policy).

At least with USAA, the higher storm deductible applies for ANY named storm, not just hurricanes.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

At least with USAA, the higher storm deductible applies for ANY named storm, not just hurricanes.

Yes I should have said windstorm or named storm. Not just hurricanes. Not sure what happens in our area with a tornado. Some of my neighbors will find out soon. Hope we don’t get home and find anything more than what we saw in pictures.

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Yes I should have said windstorm or named storm. Not just hurricanes. Not sure what happens in our area with a tornado. Some of my neighbors will find out soon. Hope we don’t get home and find anything more than what we saw in pictures.

Don’t have experience with this but given that the tornado was generated by Ian I would assume the higher “named storm” deductible applies.

[2000cs]

USAA doesn’t write homeowners where I live in FL. I was with them for over 40 years and had to change when we bought this house.

Our HO policy has a hurricane rider which is wind. Flood is not covered, so we bought a flood policy. I think the HO policy would cover water damage that followed wind, like roof damage followed by rain intrusion, but not rising waters or storm surges. Belt and suspenders here given the insurance industry and all of its issues.

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

USAA doesn’t write homeowners where I live in FL. I was with them for over 40 years and had to change when we bought this house.

Our HO policy has a hurricane rider which is wind. Flood is not covered, so we bought a flood policy. I think the HO policy would cover water damage that followed wind, like roof damage followed by rain intrusion, but not rising waters or storm surges. Belt and suspenders here given the insurance industry and all of its issues.

That is correct. Keep in mind limits of flood are $250k for structure and $100k for contents. With our damage from Katrina we lost everything on the first floor which easily exceeded the $100k for contents. It was a serious financial hit which fortunately we could absorb but many couldn’t.

Edit: You can also buy excess flood which we had on our post Katrina house in Nola.

[floridaorange]

My sisters condo flooded bad - all the residents are ripping out their kitchens right now and contractors are walking around handing out their cards.

[kscarrol]

^. Sorry to hear this. Unfortunately this kind of disaster attracts so many shady people/contractors. Unless your sister knows a contractor she trusts, be very careful…

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Don’t have experience with this but given that the tornado was generated by Ian I would assume the higher “named storm” deductible applies.

That’s my guess too.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

^. Sorry to hear this. Unfortunately this kind of disaster attracts so many shady people/contractors. Unless your sister knows a contractor she trusts, be very careful…

100% this and I wouldn’t spend any money until the condo building is checked out and building insurance / rebuild plans are sorted. If the condos are flooded there is inevitably common area damage that needs to be fixed.

[rebekahb]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

100% this and I wouldn't spend any money until the condo building is checked out and building insurance / rebuild plans are sorted. If the condos are flooded there is inevitably common area damage that needs to be fixed.

Also, ask for general liability policies and work references. Call to verify policies. People want to jump back in and get things back to normal as quick as possible but there are so many shady and fly by night "contractors" after a storm. Remind her to get at least 3 different quotes and small payment installments as the work goes on. I've heard so many stories over the years of even people paying 50% down and the contractor never coming back.

[Tommy-G]

I have some grea5 footage from checking my parents place in Englewood today but band with too slow to post. Be Monday at work….

I’ll tell the truth, driving 20 miles from Sarasota to Englewood and the police convoys and assistance coming to help I honestly shed tears. None of these people are forced to come help and they do it bc they want to. I’m sure the pay is great but they still don’t have to.

AMAZING! My dash cam videos are probably nuts if I can edit out all the wasted time

[Esteban]

^^ Good to know people are there for you in time of need. We gotta look out for each other.

Hoping for speedy recovery for those hurt by Hurricane Ian.

[floridaorange]

Praying for the Coast Guard and those they saved, incredible.

[HappynHealthy]

Good news for many affected by the storm. Elon Musk is repositioning satellites and supplying STARLINK packages. Communications will get better for many!

[Fast.F10]

Checking in. Family is safe. Minimal damage to my house. No power, water was just turned on last night. Almost lost 2 fridges due to no gas to feed the generator. Waited 2 different days for gas to the tune of like 8 hours and they ran out. Yesterday I was able to source 25 gallons and fill up the Yukon. Now in Fort Myers at work. Wife works for Lee Memorial and they gave all employees 2 weeks off (paid) to recoup. Lee schools are closed until further notice. Just nice to (at work): have Internet, AC, water, charge my cell, and vape device batteries....but wife/son at home.

[Tommy-G]

Originally Posted by Fast.F10

Checking in. Family is safe. Minimal damage to my house. No power, water was just turned on last night. Almost lost 2 fridges due to no gas to feed the generator. Waited 2 different days for gas to the tune of like 8 hours and they ran out. Yesterday I was able to source 25 gallons and fill up the Yukon. Now in Fort Myers at work. Wife works for Lee Memorial and they gave all employees 2 weeks off (paid) to recoup. Lee schools are closed until further notice. Just nice to (at work): have Internet, AC, water, charge my cell, and vape device batteries....but wife/son at home.

Glad you're "ok" down there.....pure devastation. I'm blown away the hospital is able to afford to give them time off. My coworkers wife is a nurse in Sarasota and they were looking for RN's from anywhere in the country at $100/hour plus paid housing