RICHMOND — With hurricane season less than a month away, the State Corporation Commission’s Bureau of Insurance encourages Virginians to review their insurance now to ensure they have the coverage they need in the event of a hurricane, tornado, flood, or other potential disaster.

Standard homeowners and business insurance policies issued in Virginia provide coverage for damage to your property as a result of fire, lightning, and windstorms, but damage from floods and surface water typically is not covered. The federal government sells insurance for direct flood and flood-related damage to homeowners, renters, and business owners in eligible communities through its National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). However, there is typically a 30-day waiting period before a new flood insurance policy takes effect.

History has shown that flooding is one of the most costly natural disasters affecting Virginia. It can happen anytime and anywhere. Hurricanes and spring and summer thunderstorms are common causes of flooding. Even minor floods can cause extensive damage to your home, business, or possessions.

Virginia’s abundance of water, its many low-lying areas, and its coastline make it particularly susceptible to flooding. During the past 10 years, the state has experienced 13 flood-related federally declared disasters.

Twelve hurricanes have tracked across the state including Ernesto, Gaston, Isabel, and Floyd. Insured flood losses in Virginia during the past five years totaled more than $272 million, according to the NFIP. Despite this, only four percent of the state’s households have flood insurance.

Experts predict an above-average hurricane season this year (June 1 through November 30), and storm surge can be a major factor for coastal areas. Flood insurance covers flooding from tidal and storm surge whereas other insurance policies may not. Areas hundreds of miles from the coastlines are also at risk of flooding as hurricanes and tropical storms move inland bringing torrential rains and high winds.

“Whether you are concerned about winds, lightning strikes, floods, or other natural disasters, advance preparation is the key to protecting your family and home, not only physically, but financially,” said Virginia Insurance Commissioner Alfred W. Gross. Make sure you have the insurance coverage you need before disaster strikes. If you don’t already have flood insurance, find out your flood risk and take steps now to protect your home or business.

For more information about flood insurance, contact your insurance agent or company or the NFIP at 1-800-427-2419 or visit www.FloodSmart.gov. Be sure to find out whether your flood policy provides coverage for your contents.

The Bureau of Insurance has specially trained staff that can help consumers with other homeowners, auto, and commercial insurance questions and concerns. For more information, contact the Bureau’s Property and Casualty Division at (804) 371-9185 or toll-free at 1-877-310-6560. Consumers who are speech or hearing impaired may call through the SCC’s Telecommunications Device for the Deaf and hard of hearing (TDD) at (804) 371-9206.

The Bureau offers free consumer insurance guides on a variety of topics including disaster guides for homeowners and businesses. These publications are available on the Bureau’s website at www.scc.virginia.gov/division/boi/index.htm.

The SCC is located in the Tyler Building at 1300 East Main Street in downtown Richmond. Normal business hours are from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Correspondence may be mailed to the Bureau of Insurance at P. O. Box 1157, Richmond, VA 23218.

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