Letters

When flash floods come in seconds
They instantly appear
So in 2 feet of water
A car can disappear

They also can be quite severe
Worse than a tornado
And can happen where it's dry
Like Vegas adn Laredo

Flood Katrina was the worst
Many claims were made
but 100 thous was the most
For any one claim paid

All HO's cover hurricane
But flooding's an exclusion
And since hurricanes cause flooding
It's a nightmare of confusion

Completion of a FEMA app
Is the beginning phase
But remember there's no binding
For another 30 days

Not all must wait the 30 days
There is one exemption
A mortgagee can bend the rules
And they're the one exception

A bank will give a mortgage
But flood must be in effect
The regular or write your own
So their interest you protect

Our industry has been asked
To train and educate
And to spread flood knowledge
Within New York state

A stat perhaps of interest
Could bring your eyes to tears
'Cause odds are 26%
You'll flood in 30 years

Floods were catastrophic
Not easy to insure
but FEMA was the antidote
An inexpensive cure

Obtaining flood was difficult
Dear and most unsaleable
But with FEMA's master plan
Flood became available

The Emergency Flood Program
Is the process to engage
It helps bind the coverage
And the beginning stage

The Regular Program follows
When all stages have begun
Rates are lower, limits higher
'Cause promised recs were done

NFIP was created
By the Fed, and it has shown
Owners with a policy
Need not take a loan

The main cause of flood can be
High wave or overflow
Plus river, lake or ocean
Even melted snow

Erosion too can be a cause
When earth is turned to mud
When moving it's a mudslide
And that becomes a flood

Construction can cause problems
By changing water flow
A flood is more accessible
When rain can't get below

The Elevation Certificate
Shows a town's compliance
It helps so flood is issued
Respected for reliance

Flood Mitigation by locale
Is a measure to detect
A program of prevention
Intended to correct

FIRM is what determines
The rating on all maps
But if coverage was continuous
Old rates apply, no gaps (Grandfather Clause)

When teh chance of flood is low
It's zoned 'B' or 'C'
So you would think 'Z' is the worst
But with no 'Z' use 'V'

'X' also is very low
And zoned one of the best
So premiums aren't very high
And lowest of the rest

The Bast Flood Elevation shows
Coast lines are struck first
So these zones have been rated 'V'
'Cause they're the very worst

When there is an area
With much uncertainty
It's labeled "The Unknown"
And they use the letter 'D'

Coastal areas government owned
Come under CBRS
But were you there and qualify (Grandfather Clause)
You just by luck pay less

Areas rated with High Flood
Are worse that Fire and Lightning
Where floods occur 3x more
And can be the most frightening

Some areas pay a surcharge
Exposure is so great
They're shown as "on probation"
But can later change the rate

The Community Assistance Program
Creates incentive rewards
A voluntary program
That pays with cash rewards

CRS helps you save
45%
Improves lower premiums
With a solid dent

Flood rates are arrived at
From the zone map key
Each letter shows exposure
But there's no F, G or P

Knowledge of the zoning map
Explains the alphabet
And knowing flood exposures
Helps keep you out of debt

Flood proofing is important
So is elevation
Demolition seems severe
So try out relocation

Many small communities
Have a water treatment plant
So they carry flood insurance
As leverage for a grant

When calculating premiums
Add them properly
And be sure you remember
To add the extra fee

There is a limitation
That refers to falling rain
It must fall on 2 properties
Or 2 acres on the plain

Dwellings under construction
Even if on a stilt
Can be completely covered
While it's being built

To cover condo units
The dwelling form is used
It's really for simplicity
And rarely is refused

Questions arise was it A or B
After torrential rains
Turn the building upside down
And see just what remains

Increased Cost of Compliance
Is like ordinance or law
But here it's not excluded
And pays 30,000 more

A deck cannot be covered
If it does not conform
So it's "property not covered"
When damaged in a storm

Other items included above
Are campers and their tents
Liquid tanks and swimming pools
Plus crops and any fence

And stored items in a basement
Can never be recovered
It's one of the few exclusions
That just cannot be covered

But no matter the number of losses
An insured might sustain
As long as premiums have been paid
The account they must retain

With this policy land is covered
If it's washed away
But unlike an HO forms
With flood they have to pay

ALE is not provided
And no way can it be added
There's no provision in the form
Even if the premium's padded

Flood has its sublimits
The same as all HO's
So take your jewels when you leave
But leave without your clothes

But personal property in a home
Includes the AC unit
And the washer dryer
If a flood should ruin it

If there's a loss to A and B
Deductibles apply
A policy condition
Useless to deny

If located in SFHA
And choose not to partake
The Fed is very adament
And loans they will not make

When there's "Declared Disaster"
Emergency funds are lent
But the number's getting help
Are less than 10%

Other loans may be applied for
But you must qualify
And if no flood was carried
Half they will deny

Under "Preferred Risk" policies
You can get 500 thou
And though you may require more
It's the max that they allow

Replacement cost can be obtained
Only under PRP
It must be in zone A, B, X
But cannot be in 'V'

FEMA is responsible
And handles every claim
They treat all with fairness
Each insured the same

So when nature goes awry
Beyond the human powers
Their adjusters contact you
Within 24 hours

When flooding has subsided
And when you file your claim
You must list prior losses
And the hurricane by name

When you receive permission
To return for children's toys
Leave before you enter
If you hear a hissing noise

Stan Drescher, BPS
Sufern, N.Y.