March 14, 2023
SALEM – As Oregon heads into spring, heavy rainfall and snow melt are expected to follow, which may lead to flooding in many areas. The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation urges homeowners and businesses to consider protecting their properties with comprehensive flood insurance, which offers many benefits during natural disasters.
Flood insurance provides peace of mind to property owners that they are protected from the financial devastation that often accompanies natural disasters. Floods can cause extensive damage to homes and businesses, including structural damage, loss of personal property, and even displacement from their home. With flood insurance, property owners can focus on recovering and rebuilding without the added stress of financial burden.
Most homeowners, renters, and business policies do not cover flood damage. However, you can buy flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and some private insurers.
“Many people assume that their homeowner's insurance policy will cover damages from a flood, but that is typically not the case," said Andrew Stolfi, Oregon's insurance commissioner and director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. “Flood insurance is a separate policy that provides coverage for damages caused by flooding, and it is important for homeowners and businesses to evaluate whether to have this coverage to protect their investment."
Flood insurance policies can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each customer, providing options for building coverage, contents coverage, and replacement cost coverage. In addition, excess flood coverage is available for those who need additional protection above and beyond the standard policy limits.
DFR encourages property owners to consider flood insurance as a crucial part of their disaster preparedness plan.
“Don't wait until it's too late to protect your property from flooding, or any kind of disaster," Stolfi said. “With a flood insurance policy, you can have solace knowing you are prepared."
For more information on flood insurance and other natural disaster preparedness, check out DFR's
website.
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About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon's largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and
www.dcbs.oregon.gov.