Protect Yourself with Insurance
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Standard property insurance does not cover damage caused by flooding. Flood insurance is available to homeowners, renters, and condo owners/renters. Costs vary depending on how much insurance is purchased, what it covers, and the property's flood risk. Flood insurance covers direct losses caused by surface flooding, including a river flowing over its banks and local drainage problems. All policy forms provide coverage for buildings and contents. However, you might want to discuss insuring personal property with your agent, since content coverage is optional. Please take into consideration that most flood insurance policies have a 30-day waiting period before the policy goes into effect. Flathead County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which makes federally backed flood insurance available for all eligible buildings, whether they are in a floodplain or not. |
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Community Rating System
The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). CRS provides lower insurance premiums under the NFIP due to advanced local floodplain management activities. Flathead County currently maintains a CRS Class 9 rating which allows residents whose property is located within the SFHA to enjoy a 5% discount on their flood insurance premiums.
Increase Cost of Compliance
If a flood damages your property, you may be required by law to bring your home or building up to floodplain management standards. If you have NFIP insurance and the County has declared the building to be substantially damaged, NFIP may provide up to $30,000 of the cost to elevate, floodproof, demolish, or relocate your property in order to comply with floodplain standards. ICC coverage is in addition to the coverage you receive to repair flood damages. However, the total payout on a policy may not exceed $250,000 for residential buildings and $500,000 for non-residential buildings. Claims for ICC coverage should be initiated through your insurer.