INSURANCE INFORMATION INSTITUTE
Florida Press Office:听 (813) 480-6446, lynnem@iii.org
New York Press Office: (212) 346-5500, media@iii.org
听
TAMPA, Florida, June 6, 2013 鈥 Reporters covering Tropical Storm Andrea, the first storm of the 2013 hurricane season, are encouraged to contact the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
听
Much of Florida is receiving one to two inches of rain per hour today. Streets are flooding, and even as the rains taper off, the runoff may bring flood waters into homes. Damage from flood is NOT covered under a standard homeowner or renters insurance policy. A separate flood policy is required, and is available through the .
听
The Insurance Information Institute offers the following statement to reporters covering Tropical Storm Andrea:
听
鈥淲ith each additional inch of rainfall, you鈥檙e getting a message about the flood risk that comes with tropical weather,鈥 said Lynne McChristian, Florida representative for the I.I.I. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 take a full-fledged hurricane to provide a powerful reason to consider flood insurance. About 20 percent of all flood insurance claims are paid out to people who live in low-to-moderate flood risk zones. Every Floridian lives in a flood zone because there is no such thing as a zero-risk zone.鈥
听
If a home is damaged by a flood and the homeowner receives a federal disaster loan or grant, they will be required to purchase flood insurance. Flood insurance can be obtained from your insurance agent or insurance company. The average flood insurance policy costs about $600 a year.
听
More information on flood insurance is available from .
听
RELATED LINKS
听
听
The I.I.I. has a full library of educational videos on its . Information about I.I.I. mobile apps can be found here.
听
THE I.I.I. IS A NONPROFIT, COMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.
听
Insurance Information Institute, 4775 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33617, (813) 480-6446
;
听
听
听