Flood insurance for Jefferson County

Flood insurance in Jefferson County, Florida

Jefferson County sits in the Big Bend region of north Florida near Tallahassee. While the year-round climate in Jefferson County is mild and comfortable, locals have the opportunity to experience all four seasons in this area. The average annual rainfall in Jefferson of 57 inches comes with its pros and cons. When spring hits, Jefferson County residents experience a lively growing season. But no matter the season, there’s always the possibility of flooding.

While most think of flooding during extreme events like hurricanes, prolonged rainfall is also a major cause for flooding in Jefferson County.

That’s why flood insurance is essential. Luckily, it’s easy to add on to your homeowners insurance policy with Kin. Let’s learn more about how much flood insurance costs and when it’s required.

Jefferson County flood insurance costs

While many homeowners mistakenly think the only way to get flood insurance in Florida is through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), that’s not the case. In fact, you stand to save a lot by choosing a private insurer over the federal flood program.

Our flood insurance for Jefferson County costs $241 a year on average. The NFIP’s average flood premium for Jefferson County is $487. That’s an average savings of $246 a year.

Kin vs. NFIP average flood insurance premiums

Your flood insurance rate will vary based on your exact location and flood zone. Contact us to see how much you can save!

Flood zones in Jefferson County, Florida

Jefferson County’s FEMA flood map shows the region has three high-risk flood zones: A, AE, and VE. If your home is in any of these zones and you have a federally backed mortgage, you’re required to have flood coverage.

VE flood zones indicate a coastal area that has high flood risks. Naturally, all of Jefferson County’s VE flood zones regions are in the county’s southern portion near the Gulf of Mexico. Almost the entire southern half of Jefferson County has VE, A, or AE high-risk flood zones. Most of Jefferson County’s moderate to low-risk flood zones sit in the northern or central-west regions.

Peer-reviewed data from Risk Factor shows that 14 percent of all properties in Monticello are at risk for flooding. Experts expect that figure to rise to 18.6 percent in the next 30 years. You can enter your address to see your home’s flood risk.

What Jefferson County flood insurance covers

Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover water damage from external sources, like rain, hurricanes, rising waters, or broken water mains. But flood insurance does, and that’s why 42 percent of Florida homeowners have it.

Flood insurance can help pay for flood damage to your home, belongings, and other structures. Our flood coverage limits match your homeowners policy limits. For example, if you have $200,000 in personal property coverage, you’ll also have $200,000 in flood coverage for your belongings.

Flood insurance will cover you for the following:

• High-value items.
• Clothing and electronics.
• Electrical, cooling, heating, and plumbing systems.
• Household appliances.
• Foundation, walls, and stairs.
• Carpeting and window treatments.
• Detached garages.

Flood insurance doesn’t cover:

• Boathouses.
• Fencing and raining walls.
• Sea walls.
• Hot tubs and pools.
• Landscaping.
• Decks.
• Septic systems.
• Moisture, mold, or mildew.
• Additional living expenses after your home becomes uninhabitable.
• Cars and other vehicles.
• Earthquakes and earth movements caused by floods.

It also doesn’t cover you retroactively, which is why the time to purchase flood insurance is before you need it.

Plan for flood season in Jefferson County, Florida

Florida’s hurricane season is the time of year when most floods occur. Last year saw a record-high number of hurricanes in Florida’s Atlantic region. As FEMA says, “Anywhere it can rain, it can flood.”

So it’s best to be prepared. Check out your home’s flood risks with resources like FEMA flood maps and Risk Factor, and take steps to minimize your home’s risk of flooding. That might mean:

• Keeping up on property repairs.
• Updating your valves so water flows outward.
• Keeping water sensitive items out of the basement or crawl spaces.
• Installing foundation vents or a sump pump.
• Applying coatings and sealants to your foundation.
• Installing gate valves on your pipes.
• Grading your lawn away from the house.
• Pointing downspouts away from your home.