As of this writing, we’ve weathered seven tropical storms since May and have more than two months left in the season. Do you know the answer to the question?

Today, we provide you with eight easy steps to take that can help to ensure the best possible outcome should you become the victim of residential flooding.

Ready? Let’s begin.

Consider Flood Insurance

Standard Texas homeowners’ policies do not cover flood damage unless it is directly caused by a “covered peril.” When you purchased your home and spoke with your home insurer, they likely mentioned a flood insurance add-on from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Depending upon where your property is located, you may or may not have been required to pick up this separate policy. Here in Texas, you should always consider it.

Note, however, that Texas flood policies typically have a 30-day waiting period. So planning to purchase at first glimpse of a tropical storm won’t be enough lead time.

Stop the Water at Its Source

If your flooding is due to a tropical storm, hurricane, or other whims of Mother Nature, this really isn’t a step you can take. In every other instance, however, the very first thing to do when you discover a flooding issue is to find the water source and stop it.

This may mean following the pipes to a main water valve outside the home and shutting it off. Or locating a leak and sealing it up.

Turn Off the Electricity

For weather-related flooding, as a preventative measure turn off all sources of water and electricity prior to evacuating (see below).

If you are experiencing a non-weather flooding emergency, once you’ve got the water turned off or sealed properly, turn off all electrical systems in your home.

In either case, when you cannot reach a breaker box without stepping in water, do not attempt to turn it off. Instead, call an electrician.

Evacuate the Premises

When facing a natural disaster, follow the directions of local authorities. If they say you need to evacuate, there is a reason.

Locate a temporary shelter outside of town through news and other local information sources. Then, get everyone safely relocated and out of harm’s way as soon as you can.

When problems are internal, simply ensure the kids and pets are evacuated to a safe dry spot. Whatever the case, ensure everyone is accounted for and free from injury.

Call for Help

There are a handful of calls to make once you’ve made it to safety. This is who we recommend calling… and the order we think you should make those calls.

Seek Medical Attention. If for any reason if a family member (whether 2- or 4-legged) has sustained an injury, first and foremost, call for medical attention.

Call Your Insurer. After everyone is safe and has received necessary medical care, it’s time to call your flood insurance carrier to explain the damage to your home.

Typically, your bad faith claims attorney won’t need to become truly involved unless an issue arises with your insurer. That being said, you may want to contact them early on simply because bad faith flood insurance claims do happen.

Document Everything

Film or photograph every inch of the flood damage done to your home. Do it before you touch anything or begin any effort to clean. Photos will go to your adjuster and be posted as evidence for your insurance claim.

Before you enter the home, always don protective gear. Take extreme precautions. Floodwaters in your home are likely to contain sewage and/or other hazardous materials.

Further, the more time that passes before you are able to re-enter the property, the more hazardous any standing water will become.

Begin Your Recovery

This section could be an entire handbook in itself. Suffice to say that depending on the source of flooding and the extent of damage, the cleanup can be a long and grueling process.

One specific issue to Texas flood claims is mold damage. Once mold has set in after flood damage, your insurer is not likely to pay the claim. Check out FEMA’s instructions for dealing with flood-related fungi.

We also suggest utilizing the flood manual developed by The Red Cross as a checklist for supplies and tasks. Print it out and store it ahead of time in an easy-to-reach spot.

You’ve Done Everything Right, But Your Texas Insurer Isn’t Paying

The final step you may or may not have to take in the event of suffering damages from a flood is to talk with your attorney about a bad faith insurance claim.

When you’ve paid your premiums, and have done all you can to mitigate damages and document both the existing damage and your personal recovery efforts, your insurer owes you in good faith to uphold their end of the bargain.

Reach out to an experienced Texas bad faith claims attorney if you feel you’ve been jilted by your insurance company after suffering a flood.

In the meantime, don’t face the second half of the hurricane season without the proper protection!

About the Author:

Since she started practicing law in Texas in 2004, Sharon Fulgham has been named a Rising Star by SuperLawyers and a Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine multiple times. Additionally, she has worked with some of the best attorneys in the state, and served as a partner at the biggest law firm in Fort Worth. Sharon has successfully handled cases at both the state and federal level, and always provides her clients with legal services that are personalized to fit their needs. Outside of work, the most important things in Sharon’s life are her faith, her family (husband Brandon and three children), and serving her community.

The post Your House Has Flooded — What Texans Should Do appeared first on Fulgham Hampton Personal Injury Attorneys.

Did you know that floods are the leading natural disaster to the U.S.? You may have at least noticed extreme weather events becoming more common.

So in a time when you’re more likely than ever to need it, you would think most homeowners insurance policies would count flood coverage as standard.

You should know, they don’t.

Now, Fort Worth doesn’t see hurricanes like coastal cities such as Houston. Still, the city — the entire DFW area, in fact — is located in the dead center in the northern-most part of a corridor known as Flash Flood Alley. This stretch of land from Central to Northern Texas is always hardest hit by precipitation each year.

Moreover, many parts of Fort Worth are ill-equipped to deal with torrential downpours, further increasing your risk of suffering flood damages.

Depending on the level of risk in your specific location, adding a flood policy to your homeowner’s insurance may be a worthy investment.

Floods are the No. 1 Natural Disaster in the US

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), floods are the number one natural disaster in the US. This means that floods cause more damage every year than even catastrophic events like tornadoes.

Just a few inches of water can wreak havoc (to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars) on your home and valuables.

Floods can happen anywhere at any time, but conditions most often responsible for flooding in Texas include urbanization, slow-moving thunderstorms, hurricanes, and man-made dam and levee failure (or even calculated water release).

Texas Homeowners Insurance Does Not Cover Floods

Importantly, the vast majority of homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage, even if the flood occurs due to a natural disaster that is covered under your policy.

We know. That doesn’t seem to make sense.

Let’s say your roof is damaged in a hurricane. If your homeowner’s insurance covers this kind of event, the policy will likely pay out damages from wind or hail. But don’t expect water damage from the hurricane to be covered under your standard policy.

You need to have purchased — in advance — a flood insurance policy for that. Most flood insurance is issued by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is run by FEMA. However, some private insurers also provide flood coverage.

Know Your Risk for Flooding in Texas

If you’re considering flood insurance, you may want to evaluate your relative risk of flooding. This is determined by both the regional climate in your area and factors specific to your home’s exact location. For example, whether your home is on low ground or what’s considered a flood plain.

Texas is more prone to floods than many other states, and most major cities are located in high-risk flood areas. In particular, the coast, where hurricanes are common, and Flash Flood Alley which includes the Dallas Fort Worth Area.

Even if you live in an area with low or moderate flood risk, you’re five times more likely to experience flood damage than fire damage in the next 30 years. In most parts of Texas, this risk is much higher.

FEMA and the NFIP provide resources to help homeowners assess the general risk of flooding in their area. You can also determine whether your home is located in a flood plain using the Legal Service Corporation (LSC) flood zone lookup.

Flood Insurance Cost in Texas

The price of flood insurance depends on a number of factors, including your home’s flood risk, what the policy covers, and how much coverage you purchase.

As a rough approximation, the average flood insurance policy costs about $700 per year. However, your location, coverage limits and deductible will determine your premium.

Generally, for homes not located in a flood zone, flood insurance policies are very affordable and are well worth the investment when considering the catastrophic damage that even a minor flood can cause.

Purchasing a Texas Flood Insurance Plan

Most flood insurance policies are issued by the NFIP. However, you can only purchase flood insurance from an agent or insurer that participates in the program.

The most important thing to remember, flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins. Don’t wait until nasty weather is heading your way to make the purchase. The damages won’t be covered.

Start by talking to your insurance agency to take out a policy. If your agent doesn’t sell flood insurance, you can contact the NFIP Agent Referral Center at 1-800-427-4661 to request a referral to an appropriate agent in your area.

About the Author:

Brandon Fulgham has an in-depth understanding of both Texas law and Texans themselves. Before practicing law here, he received his undergraduate degree from TCU, and his law degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston. After graduation, he worked in District Attorneys’ offices as a prosecutor. Now, he uses that knowledge to anticipate opposing counsel’s arguments and protect the rights of people in and around Fort Worth. He has been recognized for his work by The National Trial Lawyers, Fort Worth Magazine, and others.

The post How Do You Know If You Need Flood Insurance in Texas? appeared first on Fulgham Hampton Personal Injury Attorneys.