Floods don’t just happen during spring showers and summer rains. Snow, ice, frozen ground thawing, and sudden warm spells can increase the risk of winter floods. If you don’t have flood insurance, now is the time to make sure your home is protected. Some of the reasons why homeowners should be sure that they have flood insurance protection before winter are:
Winter Thaws Can Lead To Winter Floods
When snow piles up, it might not seem like a flood risk. But temperatures can vary, even in the winter. If there is a thaw, your home could be in danger from flooding caused by melting snow.
Snow and ice can melt faster than the ground can absorb the water. If the soil is still frozen, the water has nowhere to go. It flows toward the lowest point, which is often your home. Even a small amount of melting can push water into basements or crawl spaces. Flood insurance protects you from the cost of cleaning up water damage, which can be much higher than most people expect.
Homeowners Insurance May Not Cover Flood Damage
Many homeowners are surprised to learn, too late, that their homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover flood damage. A normal homeowners policy covers things like fire, theft, and certain types of water damage, but it does not cover floods.
If melting snow fills your basement, the repair costs fall on you unless you have flood insurance. That can include damaged flooring, ruined furniture, broken appliances, weakened walls, and mold removal. Flood insurance fills the gap so a winter warm up does not become a financial disaster.
Flood Insurance Has A Waiting Period
Most flood insurance policies come with a waiting period. This means your coverage does not start the day you buy it. For many policies, the waiting period is thirty days. If you wait until the snow starts melting or winter storms roll in, it may be too late. Buying flood insurance before winter gives you peace of mind because your coverage will be active when you need it.
Clogged Drains And Overwhelmed Gutters Can Cause Floods
Ice and snow can block storm drains, gutters, and nearby waterways. When these fill up or freeze over, water backs up and spills into places it normally would not reach.
Even well-kept homes can be flooded by clogged drainage systems outside of their control. You cannot prevent every problem, but you can prepare for it. Flood insurance helps you handle situations that are caused by the weather and not by anything you did wrong.
Floods Can Happen Anywhere
Many homeowners don’t think they need flood insurance because they believe their neighborhood is safe. Winter weather does not always follow patterns. A sudden warm spell, an ice jam in a nearby creek, or heavy snowfall followed by rain can create unexpected flooding anywhere. Even low risk areas can see high water during winter. Flood insurance is an affordable way to protect your home from rare but expensive events.
Get A Flood Insurance Quote Now
Contact John J Walsh Insurance today on our website or by calling us at 
978-745-3300 today!
