Most homeowners insurance does not cover damage due to flooding. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides flood insurance through more than 85 participating companies. Contact your insurance agent when you are ready to purchase a policy. Don’t delay as there typically is a 30-day waiting period before the policy becomes effective.

If your insurance agent is unfamiliar with the NFIP, or is not licensed to sell flood insurance from the NFIP, you have two additional options:

• Contact Jame Lunders at 515-224-9498

• Contact the NFIP at (888) 379-9531 to request an agent referral

When flood insurance is required
If you buy a house in a designated high-risk flood zone and receive a mortgage loan from a federally regulated or insured lender, your lender is legally bound to require you to get and maintain flood insurance.

When flood insurance is not required
If you have a home of business in a low-or-moderate risk flood zone, flood insurance is not required. However, flood insurance is still available and you may be eligible for a low-cost Preferred Risk Policy.

30-Day Wait
There is a standard 30-day waiting period, from date of purchase, before a new flood policy goes into effect. However there are some exceptions to the 30-day wait.

• If your lender requires flood insurance in connection with the making, increasing, extending or renewing of your loan.
• If an additional amount of insurance is required as a result of a map revision.
• If flood insurance is required as a result of a lender determining that a loan, which does not have flood insurance coverage, should be protected by flood insurance. The coverage will be effective upon the completion of an application and the presentment of payment of premium.
• If an additional amount of insurance is being obtained in connection with the renewal of a policy.

Buying Insurance
When you are ready to purchase insurance, talk to your agent. He or she will help you determine the flood insurance coverage that will best meet your needs.

By James Lunders, Insurance Agent

Water damage can occur almost anywhere in your house. Water-using appliances and fixtures, such as refrigerators with icemakers, dishwashers, washing machines, toilets and water heaters are common locations of leaks.

Unfortunately, slow leaks at these appliances and fixtures are often times impossible to see until it is too late. If it goes undetected, a slow leak can lead to rotting house framing and subfloors, and can be a precursor to a catastrophic leak that can release several gallons of water per minute, causing extensive water damage. A water leak detection system may help prevent these problems.

There are two types of water leak detection systems: passive and active.

Passive leak detection systems are intended to alert you of a leak. They generally sound an audible alarm tone and some may also feature a flashing light. Passive systems are frequently battery-operated, stand-alone units. They are inexpensive and easy to install. Some simply sit on the floor while others may be wall mounted. A moisture sensor is located on the floor and activates the alarm when it becomes wet. Passive leak detection systems are especially useful in locations where it is easy for someone to hear the alarm such as near refrigerators, dishwashers, or toilets.

Active leak detection systems usually generate some type of alarm, but also perform a function that will stop the water flow. They feature a shut-off valve and some means to determine that a leak is occurring. Most devices use moisture sensors to detect a leak. Other systems use a flow sensor and a timer to determine that something is leaking and the water needs to be turned off.

An individual appliance system, which costs $50 to $150, detects a leak from a specific appliance, such as a washing machine or water heater and shuts off the water supply to that appliance only. You can often install these systems without the use of special tools.

A whole house system, which costs $500 to $1,500, sends an alarm when a leak is detected and automatically shuts off the main water service. Some models can also be integrated with a local or central station security system.

Contact a local contractor, building official or hardware store for more information about water leak detection systems. If you’d like more information about how you can prevent water losses in your home, please call or stop by my office.