FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karma Lombard, Office Manager (207) 624-8540
GARDINER – Insurance Superintendent Robert L. Carey urges all Maine home and business owners, and renters, to evaluate their need for flood insurance. “Across the state, we’ve experienced plenty of flooding over the past several months, and spring rains may bring more flooding. It’s a particularly good time to consider flood insurance,” Carey commented.
“As a reminder, most homeowner and business policies do not cover flooding, whether from rising ground water or overflowing waterways. Home and business owners and renters should also be cautious about relying solely on cash assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the event of a flood. Even in a qualifying event such aid is usually made as a loan, with payment maximums that may not cover the full cost of repair.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides homeowners, business owners and renters with the best insurance protection against flooding. The NFIP can provide coverage specifically for flooding or rising ground water, and for both an insured building and its contents.
The premiums for flood insurance reflect the property’s location with low to moderate risk properties priced significantly less than high risk properties. Flood insurance is currently available through 61 insurance companies in more than 985 NFIP participating communities in Maine.
The following resources are available from the Maine Bureau of Insurance: www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/me-post-disaster-claims-guide.pdf
https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/frequently-asked-questions/floods
https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/frequently-asked-questions/storm-related-claims
https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/frequently-asked-questions/homeowners-renters-insurance
https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/consumers/homeowners-or-renters-insurance
More information is available from the NFIP by calling 1-877-336-2627 or by visiting www.FloodSmart.gov. Consumers can also contact the Bureau of Insurance with questions or concerns regarding any insurance matter by calling 1-800-300-5000 or visiting www.maine.gov/insurance.
The Bureau of Insurance is one of five agencies within the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (www.maine.gov/pfr).