The City’s new permitting and licensing software, Enterprise Permitting & Licensing (EPL) is now live.
Do You Need Flood Insurance?
All community property owners and renters are eligible for flood insurance, not just those that live in flood prone areas. Flood insurance is available to all residents because the City of Lawrence participates in the National Flood Insurance Program which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Don’t assume your homeowner’s policy will protect you from property damage as a result of flooding or rising waters. The majority of homeowner insurance policies do not cover losses from flood related events.
If a property is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area, which include all A and V zones (as indicated on a Flood Insurance Rate Map), flood insurance is required by law to obtain federally secured financing to buy, build, or improve a structure on that property.
A FIRM is the official flood hazard map for the community as prepared by FEMA as part of the NFIP. FIRMs for the City of Lawrence were last updated in 2001.
An insurance agent can assist in determining the amount of coverage required and can sell a separate flood insurance policy under rules set by the Federal government. All agents must charge the same rate. Rates for flood insurance will not change just because you file a damage claim since they are set on a national basis. Don’t wait until the last minute to purchase flood insurance because a flood insurance policy can take 30 days to become effective.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your (or any) insurance agent. You can also view information available from the NFIP by visiting http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/.