As an independent agency, we are here to help you find the right Coastal Insurance coverage.
Flood insurance is not included on most policies. Stand-alone flood policies are available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private markets – our agency has access to both. Every property is located in a flood zone, and we can assist you in determining which zone your home is in. Keep in mind that being in an X zone does not mean that your house will not experience a flood loss, only that your house is less likely to experience a flood loss as compared to a house in an AE or VE zone.
New Charleston County flood maps were effective January 29, 2021, and as a result, many homes have been moved to lower-risk flood zones. This does not mean you no longer need flood insurance. Remember that we are at the mercy of Mother Nature and flooding may still occur, so do not rely solely on the maps for any decision making.
Many insurance companies include wind and hail insurance on policies providing coverage on a dwelling of commercial structure, but with a higher deductible. Deductibles from 1% to 5% are common in coastal areas of South Carolina. For example, a home insured for $300,000 may have a 3% wind deductible. That equals a $9,000 deductible in the event of a wind disaster
Some insurance companies use a wind deductible, applying to any type of wind claim. Others use a named storm deductible, applying to any named tropical storm or hurricane (not winter storms). And some use a hurricane deductible, applying only to a hurricane. To make matters a little more complicated, some companies apply the wind deductibles separately to building and contents, while others just have the deductible applying to the building.
The coast of South Carolina is exposed to Atlantic hurricane and, in areas on or near the beaches, some insurance companies are not willing to insurance structures against the peril of wind or hail. Wind and hail insurance may be purchased via a separate policy through either a private market or the South Carolina Wind & Hail Underwriting Association – our agency has access to both.
Wind mitigation is the process of reducing the likelihood of your home suffering damage during windstorms. To help withstand high winds, homeowners and builders may add features to the home, some of which may qualify for a discount or credit on the insurance policy.
Some of the most common wind mitigation features that may result in savings include:
Opening Protection – This is the protection of windows and glass doors from flying debris. You may qualify for a credit on your insurance if the openings on your home are fully protected by impact-resistant coverings such as storm shutters, storm windows (impact-resistant glass), and storm doors.
Secondary Water Resistance Barrier – This is an additional layer of protection between the shingles and the plywood roof deck; its purpose is to prevent water intrusion if the shingles are blown off or damaged.
Roof Type – There are many roof types or styles on a home, but the two most common are hip and gable roofs. Homes built with hip roofs are a lower risk for wind damage.
Roof-Wall Connection – Commonly called hurricane straps or clips, roof-to-wall connections attach the load-bearing walls to the roof structure and are used to resist the upward force that strong winds may exert on the roof.
Should you require any further information on coastal insurance coverage, please contact our office.