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Flood insurance is highly recommended because no flood proofing measure is 100% foolproof. Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover a property for flood damage. The Village of Lansing participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Local insurance agents can sell an NFIP policy under rules and rates set by the Federal government. Any agent can sell a policy and all agents must charge the same rates.
Any house in Lansing can be covered by a flood insurance policy. Detached garages and accessory buildings are covered under the policy for the lot’s main building. There are two types of coverage which can be purchased separately:
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- Structural coverage covers everything that stays with a house when it is sold, including the furnace, cabinets, built‑in appliances, and wall-to-wall carpeting.
- Contents coverage covers furniture and other personal possessions except for money, valuable papers, and the like. Renters can buy contents coverage, even if the owner does not buy structural coverage on the building.
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There is no coverage for things outside the house, like the driveway and landscaping. If you have a policy, check it closely. You may only have structural coverage (because that’s all that banks require). In Lansing , your contents are more likely to be damaged by a flood than your structure. |
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| Some people have purchased flood insurance because it was required by the bank when they got a mortgage or home improvement loan. Usually these policies just cover the building’s structure and not the contents. During the kind of flooding that happens in Lansing , there is usually more damage to the furniture and contents than there is to the structure. An NFIP policy covers sewer backup and basement seepage if there is a general condition of flooding in the area. You may do better by checking out the sump pump failure or sewer backup coverage that might be available as an addition to your homeowner’s insurance policy. |
Don’t wait for the next flood to buy insurance protection. There is a 30 day waiting period before National Flood Insurance coverage takes effect. Contact your insurance agent for more information on rates and coverage.
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Each company has different amounts of coverage, exclusions, deductibles, and arrangements. Most exclude damage from surface flooding that would be covered by an NFIP policy. The cost varies from nothing to up to about $100 for a rider on your homeowner’s insurance premium |
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Sammy's Safety Tips
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| Do not walk through flowing water. Drowning is the number one cause flood deaths. Currents can be deceptive; six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. Use a pole or stick to ensure that the ground is still there before you go through an area where the water is not flowing. |
Do not drive through a flooded area. More people drown in their own car than anywhere else.
Don't drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out. |
| Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. The number two flood killer after drowning is electrocution. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to the Police Department 911 |
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