Are You A Gambler?
Are You A Gambler?
I
recently renewed all of my home insurance policies, the regular
Homeowners policy, plus Windstorm and Flood Insurance. Here in the
Houston area, hurricane country, home insurance is always a hot topic,
and a major pain in the wallet! Where I sit, halfway between downtown
Houston and the Gulf of Mexico, pretty much everyone understands that
the wind can come calling and lenders generally require basic property
hazard policies, but Flood Insurance is optional. That seems odd to me
actually, since I would expect the lender to demand as much protection
as they can, and of course, they ARE in a position to insist. Even more
surprising, my insurance agent told me there are a LOT of people who
don’t think they need flood insurance! I find it hard to believe there
are that many gamblers out there!
I
just thought I’d share a few thoughts... and no, I’m not selling
insurance, and I am not getting any kickbacks from the insurance folks!
Part
of the resistance problem lies in two words: “Flood Zone”. “Hey, I
don’t need flood insurance, I’m not in a flood zone”. Or, there’s the
ever popular “It has never flooded here before”. Another good one: “I’m
on a hill, everything drains just fine and we’re way above any streams”.
Oh yeah, how about “Floods only come once every hundred years (or 500
years)”?
I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that I can find you a flock of people who USED to repeat each of the above rationalizations:
Not in a flood zone:
Never before:
On a hill:
100/500 years:
The
FACT is, there is a flood risk anywhere it rains, so, unless you are
reading this from the middle of the Sahara Desert, it could happen to
you. Take it from someone who had 27” of water on the first floor of MY
home some years ago, it is NOT a pleasant experience (how’s THAT for a
world-class understatement?).
If
you’ve never priced flood insurance, you may be surprised that it is
not all that expensive, especially compared to the cost you COULD face
if you don’t have it.
FEMA’s Flood Insurance Program web site has a ton of good information that you can check out.
Of course your regular home insurance agent can get you covered.
Here’s hoping you never get to join me in saying “been there, done
that”, but if you DO get flooded, I hope you aren’t in the “don’t
believe I need insurance” group.
So, are you gambling on flood water?
P.S.
As I write this, the sky is falling, what is referred to in these
parts as a “frog-stranglin’ rain”. I think I better start building that
ark. Anyone know what a “cubit” is?
JIM AT THE TOP
Jim Pedicord RE / MAX Top Realty281-610-7847 Cell
713-558-2537 Direct
713-773-3700 x 2537 Office
713-773-3311 Fax
2911 S. Sam Houston Pkwy. E. Houston, TX 77047
Authored by Jim Pedicord
Authored by Jim Pedicord
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