As the flood waters crept up in Pensacola from our torrential downpour this weekend I took a few minutes to check in with one of our favorite insurance partners, Sue Todaro with Insurance Solutions (www.InsuranceSolutionsPensacola.com). I had a few questions for her, based on some questions clients have asked me over the weekend.

Number one, "I was told I was not in a flood zone. Why was that?" "Most Pensacola homes that are flooded are not in a flood zone," Sue said. "Just because you are not in a recognized flood hazard area does not mean that changes in the area, development and so forth, has not had an impact on the drainage situation."

Sue always recommends flood insurance regardless of the flood zone for a particular Pensacola home. "This is very affordable, under $400 a year," says Todaro.

Another question I was asked this weekend dealt with the "waiting period." "It's true," Sue said, "There is a 30 day waiting period if you want to add flood insurance to your policy so when the storm is on the way is not the time to add coverage."

Flood policies are issued through FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) but can be purchased through a local agent. There are a lot of issues to understand; the necessity for an elevation certificate, where the new flood plain mapping puts your home, waiting periods, etc. I always recommend that our clients call an experienced agent like Sue.

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