Only 1-in-4 Have Flood Coverage

With only 1-in-4 homes covered in the Green River Valley, WA area, insurance commissioner Mike Kriedler is urging residents to purchase now, especially with the 30 day waiting period.

“Recent work on the Howard Hanson Dam has lowered the risk of catastrophic flooding in the valley. That’s the good news,” Kreidler said. “But the risk of flooding is still significantly higher than normal. Getting this relatively low-cost coverage can protect against major losses.”

FEMA will be revising their flood zone in the Green River Valley and these maps will likely broaden the area considered high-risk. These new maps take effect in September 2010.

Many don't realize that renter's can get contents-only coverage starting at only $39 for the year. However, we are suggesting that they consider building coverage too in case the building does not have a master policy for flood.

Kriedler adds, “renters shouldn’t assume that their apartment owner’s insurance will cover their losses, because it generally doesn’t,” said Kreidler. “A flooded apartment can easily lead to thousands of dollars in damages. Renters have to protect themselves, too.”


Log on to our website: www.sav-on.com for a quick quote or call us 1-888-867-2866.

Flood: Get The Facts

Living in a low-risk flood area doesn't guarantee no or little flooding. Just like living in a high-risk area doesn't always mean that there will be a lot of flooding! But either way, flooding damage will almost always mean a lot of damage...and we know a lot of damage means a high cost of repairs.

In 2008, flood damage in the United States exceeded $1.8 billion with paid flood insurance claims averaging $27,974.

Flooding destroys your walls, floors, furniture, electrical system...and your savings! And the effects of a flood will remain long after the water is gone.

Heavy rains, clogged or inadequate drainage systems, and broken water mains can cause flooding putting your home and belongings at risk. Flood insurance is the only way to protect yourself from the financial devastation that even a small amount of water can cause. Don't take it from us, use FloodSmart.gov's interactive tool to find out what a little or a LOT of water can do to your home!


And then contact us!!
Call: 1-888-867-2866
info@sav-on.com
Request Flood Insurance Quote

FYI, Homeowners Policies DO NOT Cover Flooding

Your regular homeowners policy does not cover flooding. But a flood insurance policy does.

• Flooding is the #1 natural disaster.
  
• Flood damage is not covered by most homeowners insurance policies.
  
• 25% of flood claims are filed by people living in low-to-moderate risk areas.
  
• In high-risk areas, 1 in 4 homes will experience a flood over the course of a 30-year mortgage.
  
• Only 2 inches of water in your home can cost $7,800 or more in damage. (Can you guess what 1 foot would be? Find out the cost with this interactive tool from FloodSmart.gov.)
  
• Disaster assistance- if it's available- is usually a loan you must repay with interest.
  
• Flood insurance is mandatory if you live in a high-risk area and have a mortgage from a federally regulated lender. Check with your lender for details.

Aren't those enough reasons to protect yourself from flood?
If you haven't already, now is the time. Call us 1-888-867-2866, e-mail us, or request a flood quote from the web today.

Flood insurance rates are all federally regulated by FEMA which means, it's the same cost anywhere you go. So why not shop with the Agency that cares, the agency you trust?

Remember, all flood insurance policies have a standard 30 day waiting period!


Thanks to FloodSmart.gov

New Radars and Gauges to Fight Flooding

More rain gauges and an experimental weather sensor will be installed in the Green River basin to help boost the odds that federal officials can predict which storms might lead to flooding.

These systems, which are already used in California, measure water vapors in the air and wind speed and direction several miles above Earth's surface. Forecasters may be able to use this information to better predict whether impending storms will have enough rainfall to cause flooding within 24 hours in advance.

The new rain sensors are not foolproof, though, Colman said. They are still experimental, and one of the weather service's most difficult tasks, technologically, is gauging how much rain will fall during a given storm.

"But if before we were calling for 2-4 inches of rain and this lets us refine that to say 2-3 inches ... even removing that bit of uncertainty will be helpful," Colman said.


Thank you to Seattle Times.

Flood Insurance, Time is Running Out!

For people that wait too long for a flood insurance policy, you may be in for a rude awakening when companies stop offering it!

With the high volume of policies being issued, companies are starting to see that they could be in for some catastrophic financial losses.



Attention homeowners, renters, & mobile owners! Flood is not included in your regular policy. Flood works a little differently and we're always here to explain how flood coverage, exclusions, and deductibles work.



It's also VERY important to remember that there is a 30 day waiting period for flood policies. Which essentially means that if you take out your policy on 10/20/09, your policy will not go into effect until 11/20/09. Any flood occurring before that date will not be covered.



So just call us or e-mail us for a quote TODAY! You will be surprised at how inexpensive flood coverage can be.



For Flood Quotes & Questions

E-mail: info@sav-on.com or call 1-888-867-2866

CarMax Advises How to Avoid Flood-Damaged Cars

In the wake of recent flooding, CarMax, Inc., (NYSE: KMX), the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, is advising consumers on how to avoid purchasing flood-damaged vehicles.

"Consumers should be aware that some businesses and individuals may try to sell salvaged and flood-damaged cars without revealing the vehicle history," said Jason Day, Atlanta region vice president of purchasing for CarMax.
Flood-damaged cars that are not structurally or mechanically sound could be repaired, re-titled, and sold to unsuspecting buyers."

CarMax’s purchasing team offers these ten tips for identifying a vehicle with possible flood damage. If any of these signs are identified, ask further questions to determine if flood damage occurred:

Check for a moldy smell inside the car and feel the carpet for dampness

Be suspicious of an older car with a brand new interior or carpeting

Check for rust under the brake or gas pedals

Look for dirt or rust under the dashboard and floor mats

Inspect the bolts and screws under the seats for evidence of rust

Check the undercarriage for excessive rust

Check inside the trunk under the carpet and in the spare tire well area for rust, dirt or sand

Look for corrosion, water marks, or a thin brown line on the exterior of the vehicle

Check to see if the electrical system works

Check the VIN number with AutoCheck or Carfax to see whether a flood claim has been filed or a salvage title has been issued on the vehicle

Flood Resources

The time will soon be here when the Green River will likely flood. Now is the time to prepare (and to purchase flood insurance!)

The following are some helpful websites if the day comes. SAV-ON will continue to update on the flood watch and provide information or tips as necessary.

Want more details on the Green River flooding? Read our prior post 4 Major Seattle Cities at Flood Risk


FEMA Map Service Center
Plug in your address and view a map for flood zone information.

King County iMAP Interactive Mapping Tool
More user friendly but limited to King County residents. Choose Stormwater from the drop down box and get detailed information regarding flood risk. Most detailed but longest to load. You can also use the Parcel Viewer version which is quicker but requires your parcel number.

FEMA Map Viewer
Plug in your address and view a map for flood zone ifnormation! Very user friendly and provides information for the entire country.

How To Prepare For a Flood
Quick information from King County and a few resource websites and phone numbers.

Important Phone Numbers for Flooding (King County)
Important phone numbers and resources regarding flood information. Limited to King County.

Are You At Risk For Flooding?

How do I get a copy of the National Flood Insurance Plan (NFIP) map for my area?

Call the FEMA Map Service Center at 1-800-358-9616. If you are looking for information regarding a specific piece of property it is important to know the community number and panel number. Less specific maps for counties, cities or towns do not require this information. Each map is $.50 and each order is $2.50 for shipping and handling.


From FEMA.gov

Flood Insurance: When is it Important?

There are many factors to look at when deciding whether or not to purchase flood insurance but two important things to consider are where you live and the geographic risks for flooding. Common risks for flooding are tropical storms, hurricanes, spring thaw, heavy rains, levees and dams, flash floods, coastal threats and new developments/construction.

Surely, most everyone understands the devastating effects of flooding and the costs; astronomical! So we are providing a great website for you to use while making your decision regarding the purchase of flood insurance. This website can answer many questions for you. We highly recommend that you access it and read through: www.floodsmart.gov.

One thing many people do not realize is their homeowners insurance does not cover most aspects of flooding. For those of you who live in the Kent Valley, WA area we strongly suggest reading the following article: Howard Hanson Dam issues could complicate next rainy season.

Here at SAV-ON, we feel knowledge is power and very important when making life changing decisions! We encourage you to read up and be prepared or ask an agent! You can call us toll-free 1-888-867-2866 or e-mail info@sav-on.com.

4 Major Seattle Cities at Flood Risk

Renton, Auburn, Kent, and Tukwila run a large risk at being flooded this fall and winter after 40 years without a problem. The last was in December 1959 which flooded some houses up to their second floors.

The culprit is the flood-control dam on the Green River. The Army Corps of Engineers who built the Howard Hanson Dam cannot decipher what caused a 10-foot-wide, 6-foot-deep depression in an abutment to the rock and earthen dam, but see that it could be a catastrophic issue.

For now, the Corps will store less water behind the dam until engineers can figure out what caused the problem and how to fix it. To achieve this, essentially all rainwater from storms will be released into the Green River. This runs a risk of overwhelming levees that protect Renton, Auburn, Kent, and Tukwila.

Officials from the possibly affected cities, the Corps, and King County have been telling businesses and residents to buy flood insurance and have an evacuation plan.
"We need to prepare for a long-term possibility that over the next few flood seasons we may experience anywhere from significant to catastrophic flooding, depending on the event," said Dana Hinman, a Auburn city spokeswoman.

A larger number of homes and businesses could be hurt in flood-prone parts of Kent, where about 50,000 people work and 22,000 people live, said Mayor Suzette Cooke. She said the damaged abutment "clearly raises our level of concern" about levees downstream that haven't been certified as meeting federal standards.

There is chance that I-405 could be severely flooded, and Highway 167 and two main rail lines could be severed.

Although there is a good chance some repairs could be made by fall, people in these high risk areas need to put careful consideration into buying flood insurance.

Many don't realize, flood insurance does not go into effect for 30 days from the date written and the rates are all the same-- because flood is only offered through FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). Also, it's important to note that during most catastrophic times, companies will put a "moratorium" on writing new policies. Therefore, you have to be prepared.


SAV-ON can quote and write flood insurance. You can get a quote by calling 1-888-867-2866, e-mailing info@sav-on.com, or filling out our Quik Quote Form.

Huge thanks to Seattle Times Newspaper