Even though Illinois is currently experiencing drought conditions, it is a flood prone state. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources maintains that with 7,400 square miles of the state at risk, floods are the most common natural disaster in Illinois.
Although the chances of a flood hitting your home may be low at the moment due to lack of rain, with over 250,000 buildings erected on flood plains in Illinois, your longer-term risk may be high. Even a couple of inches of water can cause significant and expensive damage. Not sure whether you are living on a flood plain? The state has put a series of flood maps online, making it simple to check. It is vital to understand whether you are living on a flood plain or not, because standard home insurance does not include coverage for flood risks. You will need to purchase a separate policy.
An experienced insurance agent can typically help you organize appropriate coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program. This generally helps protect both buildings and contents, although you’ll need to fix the appropriate amount of contents covered. Note also that coverage doesn’t go into effect right away. There is usually a 30-day waiting period, so don’t wait until a flood is imminent, buy coverage now!
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