So I'm still high and dry for now, but this one successfully convinced me that no matter my elevation, I'm getting flood insurance. Any clue what the quickest way to get started on it is?

I know there is a 30 day waiting period, so I'd rather start that ASAP. I was thinking national carriers would be the best bet, since locals would be inundated with claims to deal with, but the national guys I spoke to keep pointing me back to local guys. Anyone with contacts or tips for getting it set up quickest?

Like Martin said, flood insurance is through one group and run federally. Tall to your homeowner's company and they can help you.

Your homeowners insurance agent can help you. There are lots of companies that provide Flood insurance, but ultimately it is the Federal Government that writes the coverage form and backstops the program. There are some private companies doing flood insurance for commercial properties, but I am not aware of any which write for dwellings, especially outside the flood zone.

If you are outside the flood zone the premium is not that expensive. A significant number of claims occur in properties that are outside the 100 year flood zone. Your insurance agent should be glad to help you. I think it requires a check and the application being mailed to start the 30 day clock. As an FYI, Congress needs to reauthorize the NFIP soon, so there could be major changes.

I am in San Antonio and the flood plain is right next to my house. I signed up for insurance two days ago through USAA by using a credit card and the online application that USAA directed me to.

Got a link for the USAA online application?

You have to be a member of USAA. You have to log in and there is a link for flood insurance that directs you to another site.

https://www.usaa.com/inet/wc/insurance_home_flood?akredirect=true

Good for you! I recommend every homeowner in Houston having it. All flood insurance is provided by the federal government. Private insurance companies do not provide it. But you have to go through them to get it. Just call your regular insurance company to get it. They will act as the middleman, and your policy will come directly from FEMA.

I called my local company, but they're either out of the office or so inundated with claims to worry about that it would probably be weeks before they could get the process rolling (at least that is my feeling). So that's why I was looking for other options that could get it started ASAP, since we have to wait for the 30 day waiting period no matter what. I'd rather it not artificially become a 45 day waiting period.

I'm an agent down in the valley but go thru your local agent and they'll be able to help you out. It's usually very cheap.

Way less than half of the homeowners in Texas carry it and it's something you never think you'll need until you do.

Quote:

---

I called my local company, but they're either out of the office or so inundated with claims to worry about that it would probably be weeks before they could get the process rolling (at least that is my feeling). So that's why I was looking for other options that could get it started ASAP, since we have to wait for the 30 day waiting period no matter what. I'd rather it not artificially become a 45 day waiting period.

---

If you're in that situation feel free to call us at 956-685-1935 and it will ring straight thru to personal lines. Valley Insurance Providers

This link works as well:

http://www.vip-ins.net/flood/insurance_quote.aspx

Anyone specific to ask for?

No anybody that answers that will be able to help you.

Make sure it gets done. I exchanged emails with my agent's office last september asking to purchase a policy and to bill it to the card they have on file. They responded saying "will get this done tomorrow."

I check it off my mental list and just now realizing it was never done and here I am with a foot of water in the house and no insurance. Waiting to get in contact with my agent to see if they are going to do the right thing.

Sorry to hear. Let us know. How it works out.

Bought mine through www.floodbuddy.com

Dang, that really stinks.

Thanks PJYoung. I think we are all set. Just waiting on my email confirmation now, and crossing my fingers until 9/30.

I am a USAA member and have my homeowners through USAA, however I bought my flood policy through Daddy on Texags here in Houston.

NOT flooding during a 1000 year event has convinced you that you need flood insurance?

probability of occurrence in any given year = 0.1%

I hope it's an EXTREMELY low premium.

Dr. Horrible said:

---

Actually, it is more that being downstream of a 70 year old reservoir has convinced me to get flood insurance, especially at $450/year. I never gave two thoughts about the Barker and Addicks reservoirs until three days ago.

---

I see...you're downstream....I would definitely have it in your case then. Glad you didn't need it this time.

I abutt the Addicks Reservoir, neighborhood streets are flooded in many, if not most, neighbors are landlocked and unable to leave their homes. Will continue to buy.

It's between 179 and 479 dollars a year depending on the level of coverage you pick.

92Ag95 said:

---

NOT flooding during a 1000 year event has convinced you that you need flood insurance?

probability of occurrence in any given year = 0.1%

I hope it's an EXTREMELY low premium.

---

Mind sets like this are why Americans get to spend billions in tax dollars to fix their flooded homes after they spent all their money on jet skies and four wheelers instead of flood insurance.

WaltonLoads08 said:

---

92Ag95 said:

---

NOT flooding during a 1000 year event has convinced you that you need flood insurance?

probability of occurrence in any given year = 0.1%

I hope it's an EXTREMELY low premium.

---

Mind sets like this are why Americans get to spend billions in tax dollars to fix their flooded homes after they spent all their money on jet skies and four wheelers instead of flood insurance.

---

Even if he had flood insurance, it's your tax dollars paying the claims.

There was a big argument over buying Flood Insurance on the Politics Board.

I tried to get one of them to recognize the process is a way of the Mortgage company securing the value of the house with the lein.

They kept saying "Opt Out".

It is one of those shared costs that makes sense. even if you never use it.

FEMA $$$ for flood is entirely funded by these premiums.

And if they run out...it's "sorry".

Do you really think the federal govt is going to not pay out on something this big. No govt agency or individual would stick their neck on the line and tell the general public, sorry we don't have the money for this natural disaster

92Ag95 said:

---

NOT flooding during a 1000 year event has convinced you that you need flood insurance?

probability of occurrence in any given year = 0.1%

I hope it's an EXTREMELY low premium.

---

That's not the way it works...

The 1000 yr flood insurance is not a good example. For 100 yr flood, the way it works is a 1% chance of flooding in a year, but it's 30% chance over a 30 yr mortgage.

And a 6% chance for 500 yr flood plain (again 30 yr mortgage.

There's a 30 day effective period... if you bought it today, it would be Sept 29 before it was effective.

I wonder why Mortgage Cos. don't require the policy in Houston. Currently not required for 500 yr flood plain, but it's the same amount of loss to the Mortgage Co.

agswin1988 said:

---

Do you really think the federal govt is going to not pay out on something this big. No govt agency or individual would stick their neck on the line and tell the general public, sorry we don't have the money for this natural disaster

---

You're right if you have the insurance. but the folks in Baton Rouge last year got $3000 for their destroyed house through their claims to FEMA. They did NOT have insurance, and that was all the money FEMA had for the claims.

That's what we learned from friends who went through it last August in Baton Rouge.

Now it could have been entirely political...

SeMgCo87 said:

---

agswin1988 said:

---

Do you really think the federal govt is going to not pay out on something this big. No govt agency or individual would stick their neck on the line and tell the general public, sorry we don't have the money for this natural disaster

---

You're right if you have the insurance. but the folks in Baton Rouge last year got $3000 for their destroyed house through their claims to FEMA. They did NOT have insurance, and that was all the money FEMA had for the claims.

That's what we learned from friends who went through it last August in Baton Rouge.

Now it could have been entirely political...

---

I'm just a heartless fiscal conservative, but they should have gotten no tax dollars at all if they chose not to protect themselves.

Even if they've paid their fair share in income taxes over the years? I'd rather taxpayers get something for what they've paid in vs folks that never have and get a lot more than $3000.

There's a way to protect yourself. Buy flood insurance. If you don't have it, because you chose not to protect yourself, you should be SOL.