Is your property prepared for more wintry weather?

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

The record amount of snowfall we received during the Blizzard of 2013 has left the ground throughout our area saturated. As we all anxiously await the start of Spring, Blais Insurance would like to make certain policyholders are aware of the risk of flooding. Melted snow, coupled with showers and insufficient drainage, could force water to seep into your home.

Homeowners’ insurance policies cover property damage that results from a sudden discharge of water from a home plumbing system or appliance. An example of this would be if a pipe burst in your home. However, many people find out at the time of a loss that water damage resulting from ground water seeping into a basement is never covered so prevention is the proper focus where seepage is concerned. 

Moreover, damage from flooding is only covered under a separate flood insurance policy when a qualified flood event occurs. With the rainy months still ahead of us, homeowners in high-risk flood areas are no longer the only ones who require flood insurance.

Blais Insurance offers premium flood insurance coverage at affordable rates through the National Flood Insurance Program. As we all discovered after the historic flooding in Spring of 2010, flooding can happen anytime, anywhere. There is typically a 30-day waiting period from when the coverage is purchased to when it goes into effect so do not wait for the next, big storm if you are considering flood insurance.