It is not too late to purchase flood insurance

There is a 30- day waiting period if you currently own a home and are purchasing flood insurance for the first time. Because of this waiting period, you cannot get insurance that will cover you immediately once there is a named storm in the Gulf.   If you are in a flood zone, you would normally benefit by purchasing an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor to determine the elevation of the property. If you have a mortgage and are in a flood zone, the lender would normally require coverage as a condition of the loan.  An elevation certificate is not available if you are not in a flood zone.  Please talk to your insurance agent about your options.

Flood insurance is peace of mind insurance and can provide excellent coverage for what your hazard insurance does not cover.  A property that has never flooded could flood if a rain storm persisted for an extended period of time in a particular area.  When you are not in a flood zone, the cost seems to be under $500 a year for this coverage.  Please check with your agent.

This is also a good time of the year to take pictures of the interior of your home with furnishings and keep these in a safe place with receipts for all of your purchases.  In the event of a claim, this will make filing a claim much easier.