Flood Insurance

According to Suffolk County’s government website, approximately 15% of Long Island’s

1.5 million residents, live in an area which is identified as a flood zone in a worst-case hurricane.

Second to only Katrina – Superstorm Sandy was the costliest storm to hit our region. Wind and storm surge caused $41.9 billion in damages for New Yorkers.

While living on Long Island has many perks, one of them is not the vulnerability we have by living on an island surrounded by water and in the path of hurricanes. Living with that threat is the price we pay for living in close proximity to the some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, but it is not entirely out of our control.

There are ways we can prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Sandy taught us being complacent and not making sure your homeowners insurance has comprehensive coverage or not having separate flood insurance can be financially devastating.

Homeowners insurance may cover windstorm damage caused by hurricanes, but usually do not cover the damage caused by floodwater or rising water that accompanies the storm. Flood insurance is a separate policy from your homeowners insurance policy.

Flood insurance helps cover physical damage to your home and belongings from floods or related losses from rising water. You can purchase a government-run National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy through an agent in our office.

When you purchase an NFIP flood policy through Cirigliano Agency, you're helping protecting yourself from the financial burden flooding can cause. In fact, just one inch of water in a home can cost more than $25,000 in damage. Instead of paying out of pocket or taking out loans to cover your expenses, flood insurance can help make the recovery process quicker, easier and less costly to you and your family.

The NFIP offers two types of flood insurance coverage: Building Property and Personal Property (Contents). The first helps protect your actual home and the second helps cover what's inside. To better prepare for the unexpected, the NFIP recommends purchasing both types of coverage.

In order to determine whether you reside in a storm flood zone, Suffolk County has mapped the expected flood zones for hurricanes on interactive maps on their website, which also identify the name and location of Emergency Shelters for the flooded areas. You can view Suffolk County's flood zone and shelter maps HERE.