Insurance Commissioner Encourages North Dakotans to Prepare for Flood Risk

BISMARCK, N.D. – Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread today encouraged renters, homeowners and business owners to better understand their flood risk and insurance coverage following heavy winter snowfall.
 
“I urge all North Dakotans to take the time to learn about how they can better protect themselves and their property from the destruction brought on by a flood,” Godfread said. “Traditional homeowners insurance policies do not cover flooding. Because there is a 30-day waiting period before a flood insurance policy kicks in, this is a critical time of year for consumers to talk to their insurance agent about their policy’s limits and what other coverage options they have.”
 
Floods are the most common and most destructive of natural disasters in the U.S., with all 50 states having experienced floods or flash floods in the past five years, according to Floodsmart.gov. Although flood damage is not traditionally covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy, flood insurance is available for renters, homeowners and businesses as a special policy that is federally backed by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
 
The NFIP is a federal program, managed by the Federal Emergency Management Administration, responsible for providing flood insurance, improving floodplain management and developing maps of flood hazard zones. The NFIP allows property owners in participating communities to buy insurance to protect against flood losses. A homeowner is able to purchase excess flood insurance, but they must be covered by NFIP flood insurance first.
For more information, consumers should contact their insurance agent, the NFIP at (800) 638-6620, or the North Dakota Insurance Department at (800) 247-0560.