Flood Season Is Here. Don't Wait on This One.

Every year we have this conversation with clients after a storm. It doesn't have to go that way.

Summer in Southern Monmouth and Ocean County means beautiful weather, busy weekends on the water, and one other thing: flood season. Whether it's a nor'easter, a tropical system, or a slow-moving rain event that just won't quit, this part of New Jersey sees flood damage regularly. And the coverage gap that catches most homeowners off guard is a simple one: your standard homeowners policy doesn't cover flooding. Not a drop.

That's not a technicality. It's a genuine gap that leaves families responsible for tens of thousands of dollars in damage, sometimes more, because the water came up from the ground instead of down from the sky.

What you need is a separate flood insurance policy. You've got two main options: the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and private market flood carriers. The NFIP averages around $1,011 per year in New Jersey. Private options can come in lower depending on your risk profile, and they often offer higher coverage limits than the NFIP's $250,000 cap on building coverage.

The detail that matters most right now:

Most flood insurance policies, including the NFIP, carry a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. If a storm's in the forecast and you don't already have a policy, you can't buy one. Insurers stop writing new coverage before major weather events. By then it's too late.

If you're not sure whether you're in a flood zone, that's worth finding out. FEMA's flood maps are a starting point, but they don't tell the whole story. Many clients who've had water in their homes are technically outside the high-risk zone on paper. We can help you think through your actual exposure.

Don't wait for the next storm to have this conversation. Call us now.