A Personal Story from Hurricane Ian
After working on Hurricane Ian claims for the past two years, I have one major recommendation: Buy flood insurance—even if you’re not in a flood zone. I do for My East Boca House well outside the flood zone.
During this last storm, I met countless homeowners who chose not to purchase flood insurance because their homes were outside designated flood zones. Unfortunately, that decision proved devastating. It has been documented that thousands of homeowners were forced to sell their properties after being unable to afford repairs. The reality is that flood zones are only a guideline, not a guarantee. No home has a 0% chance of flooding.
Florida’s Recent Hurricanes: Hard Lessons on Flood Insurance
Recent storms have made it painfully clear how devastating floods can be—even for homeowners who thought they were safe.
Hurricane Ian (2022)
Hurricane Ian caused catastrophic flooding across Florida, particularly in areas that weren’t even considered high-risk flood zones. Many homeowners in Orlando, Fort Myers, and Naples saw several feet of floodwater enter their homes. Thousands were left without financial help because they didn’t have flood insurance.
One heartbreaking example was in Central Florida, where families who had never experienced flooding before suddenly had water up to their roofs. They assumed their homeowners insurance would cover it—only to find out that flood damage was excluded from their policies. Without flood insurance, they faced tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of dollars in repair costs.
Flooding Can Happen Anywhere
Even if your home is in a “low-risk” flood zone, that doesn’t mean you’re safe. According to FEMA:
- 25% of all flood insurance claims come from homes outside of high-risk flood zones.
- Just one inch of floodwater in your home can cause over $100,000 in damage.
- Florida is one of the most flood-prone states in the country.
Hurricanes aren’t the only cause of flooding. Heavy rainfall, overflowing lakes, and poor drainage systems can all result in significant flood damage, even in areas that have never flooded before.
Why Standard Homeowners Insurance Won’t Help
Many homeowners don’t realize this until it’s too late: homeowners insurance does NOT cover flood damage.
If a hurricane damages your roof and rain enters your home, you might be covered. But if water rises from the ground up, it’s classified as a flood, and your standard policy won’t pay for repairs. That means everything—your floors, walls, furniture, appliances, and even the foundation—could be a total loss without flood insurance.
Protect Yourself Before the Next Storm
Flooding isn’t just a problem for coastal homes—it can happen anywhere in Florida. The stories from recent hurricanes prove that waiting until after a disaster strikes is too late. Even if you’re not required to have flood insurance, it’s one of the smartest investments you can make to protect your home and finances.
If you’re unsure whether flood insurance is right for you, talk to an insurance professional today. Don’t wait until the next hurricane season—get protected now.