As the residents of Milwaukis district assess the damage to the weekend, only 1,86 households have a federal flood insurance policy.
As emergency crews continue to respond to hundreds of calls, it is not yet clear what financial damage to this 1000 -year flood event will be. However, Sarah Smith, Director of Public Affairs of the Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance Commissioner, said that even 1 inch water could damage up to $ 25,000.
Over the next 30 years, Wisconsin households, located in low to moderate risk areas, will suffer five times more floods than fire -related events, Smith said, but the state has one of the smallest flood insurance policies per capita in the country.
From July 31 The State Insurance Commissioner counted 10,541 Federal Flood Insurance Policy throughout the Wisconsin more than 2.7 million households. The state has not provided data on how many households are used by private insurance, but said most residents with flood insurance use federal.
This is a problem, taking into account the construction codes of Wisconsin, no rules on the flood plain are excluded to establish how to lift the building or where to build a flood, said Sarah Rafajko, the coordinator of the National Flood Insurance Program.
People sometimes mistakenly think they can’t get flood insurance because they don’t live in the flood area or because they rent their homes or apartment.
“It is accessible to everyone, whether they are floods or not,” Rafajko said. “And that can make a really great influence.”
What is flood insurance?
Flood insurance includes financial losses of structures and objects directly caused by floods.
Consumers have two main flood insurance options – the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurance.
NFIP is handled by FEMA and bases rates where the property is on the tidal zone map.
Homeowners can use an online NFIP tool to search for their zip code and find out the risk of their field. Smith noted that FEMA maps and risk models stem from historical flood data rather than future forecasts that would include the effects of climate change.
Homeowners with a Federal Mortgage Support must have the lender to have flood insurance if they are in a high -risk area.
Private insurance earns contributions based on unique risk of property floods, not by zone rules.
Barbara Lewandowska, seen in the door reflection, 2025. August 11 In the afternoon, he looks at the flood water line on the outside of his home in Milwaukee.
Why is flood insurance separate costs from homeowners’ insurance?
Flood events are too unique catastrophic to include most homeowners’ insurance plans.
Only when 1968 Congress set up NFIP to oversee flood management rules, flood insurance became available.
Communities that have chosen to receive federal insurance must adopt minimum flood management standards.
More: Does home and lease insurance help flood damage? What do you know after the flourish tides
Can I get flood insurance if I rent?
Like homeowners’ insurance does not cover floods, as well as most tenants insurance.
Even if the landlord has a flood insurance for building insurance, their insurance will not cover the tenant’s belongings. Through NFIP tenants can only purchase flood insurance plans that earn up to $ 100,000.
How much does flood insurance cost?
It depends on where you are and whether you have chosen NFIP or private insurance.
Usually the price of NFIP ranges from $ 600 to $ 1,200 a year.
However, if you live in a flood, it can be $ 4,000 a year.
If you choose private insurance, it also varies with the private assessment of your property.
Unlike NFIP, private companies can choose something from their plan to quit for any reason and may also refuse to accept residents if they live in a flood, Rafajka said.
Residents who do not know whether to go NFIP or private road can contact local insurance agents in Wisconsin. Most sell both types of insurance and can quote both, said Rafajka.
Otherwise, homeowners and tenants can get a quote directly from Floodsmart.gov to find out what their flood insurance options are.
What does it usually cover?
According to NFIP, the maximum coverage of the building is $ 250,000 and the maximum affiliation coverage is $ 100,000, Rafajka said.
These residents are also provided with a coverage of $ 30,000, which allows residents to restore the flood codes in a way.
Rafajka said the large top of the private insurance is whether it can make replacement costs. It will be more beneficial to people who are significantly higher than the maximum $ 250,000 building cover provided by NFIP.
Why do Wisconsin residents need flood insurance?
Among those working in natural resources is the saying: “Wherever it is raining, it can flood.”
That is why Rafajka emphasized the importance of investing in flood insurance. Rafajka recommends recording yourself to do your apartment or home exercise as a video proof of your belongings. Such images will be useful later – which can be confirmed by Rafajka, who lives in the dam, can confirm.
It is the saying that the Smith routes from the State Insurance Commissioner’s Office, which argued that 40% of all flood claims in Wisconsin occurred in low or medium -risk areas.
Flood insurance is a standard 30 -day waiting period, said Smith, an important thing for homeowners and tenants to think about the flood season, which begins in March and April in Wisconsin.
The Insurance Commissioner’s Office contains more information about flood insurance on your OCI.Wi.gov website and daughter sheet.
Natalie Eilat includes mental health problems with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She enjoys the advice and reviews of history. You can contact @Natalie_eilbert;
This article initially appeared at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Flood Insurance in Wisconsin. What to know about how it works.