Commissioner Nickel Encourages Wisconsin
Consumers to Evaluate Flood Insurance Needs
Madison, WI—Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Ted Nickel is encouraging consumers to evaluate their need for a flood insurance policy at this time of year. A flood insurance policy has a 30-day waiting period before it becomes effective. Purchasing a policy now will ensure coverage is available if flooding occurs.
"Many Wisconsinites have been victims of flooding and experienced devastating damages over the years," said Commissioner Nickel. "It is important to evaluate your need of flood coverage now to prevent a tremendous amount of financial hardship."
The standard homeowner's policy can include coverage for wind, hail, and tornado damage, but does not cover damage to buildings or its contents in the event of a flood. Just a few inches of flood water can cause thousands of dollars in damage. In recent years, several Wisconsin communities experienced significant floods and homeowners were caught unaware. You can live miles from water and still be a victim of flooding. Flood insurance is another expense but costs of flood damage could be much more.
Flood insurance is available under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a federally backed program managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Under the flood insurance program, coverage may be purchased as long as the property is located in a community that participates in NFIP. For more information on NFIP and to verify if a community participates, check with a property insurance agent or visit the FEMA Web site at
www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program.
More information about homeowner's insurance and flood insurance is also available from the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI). OCI publications,
Consumer's Guide to Homeowner's Insurance and
Settling Property Insurance Claims, are available on OCI's Web site at oci.wi.gov or by calling 1-800-236-8517.
Created by the Legislature in 1870, Wisconsin's Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) was vested with broad powers to ensure the insurance industry responsibly and adequately met the insurance needs of Wisconsin citizens. Today, OCI's mission is to lead the way in informing and protecting the public and responding to its insurance needs.