Earlier this week, Florida’s Insurance Commissioner encouraged homeowners in our state to purchase flood insurance prior to May 1 in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season, which, as you may have read, has been predicted to be very active.

Purchasing or renewing a flood insurance policy prior to May 1 will also allow homeowners to avoid a significant  rate increase scheduled for October 1 of this year.

The Insurance Commissioner noted that Florida homeowners can purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for up to $250,000 for property damage and $100,000 for personal contents and that excess coverage can be purchased for homes valued at more than $250,000.

Many of our neighbors still don’t understand that their homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover damage caused by flooding.  Since flood insurance is readily available to all homeowners and is definitely affordable, the failure to have this coverage is inexcusable.

It would be a shame to incur substantial expenses as a result of damage that would have been covered by this easily obtainable insurance.

Let’s hope none of us need flood insurance during the 2013 storm season–but it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry!