(DeWitt, New York, Feb. 19, 2015) — It is hard to imagine during the recent wave of frigid temperatures, but warm weather will return and melt the snow and ice blanketing much of New York State. The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York reminds renters, homeowners and businesses to consider protecting themselves from the costs of floods and mudslides that may result.

All properties are vulnerable to floods. The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that 20 percent of all flood insurance claims come from properties with a low to moderate risk of flooding. Two inches of water in a 2,000 square foot home can cause up to $21,000 in damage. Mudslides can be equally or more damaging.

Standard homeowners, dwelling and commercial property insurance policies do not cover flood and mud damage. The National Flood Insurance Program, a federal program administered by FEMA, provides most flood coverage. The policies are available directly from the NFIP and from private insurance companies selling them on the program’s behalf through local insurance agents and brokers. An infographic displaying the differences between homeowners and flood insurance is available at http://www.iiabny.org/Members/MAC/Flood/Helpful/HomeownersVsFlood.pdf.

By the time flooding or mudslides are in the forecast, it is too late to buy coverage. With very few exceptions, the policies cover only flood damage that occurs 30 days or more after the application for insurance is received. Therefore, the time to think about the risk of flooding is while the snow and ice are still frozen.

Properties in low- to moderate-risk flood zones may qualify for a Preferred Risk Policy. A renter with a ground-floor apartment can purchase this coverage for as little as $79 a year. A local insurance agent or broker can help determine coverage needs and costs.

This has been a harsh winter, from the seven feet of snow that fell on Erie County in November to 2015’s heavy snowfalls and brutally cold temperatures. New Yorkers will welcome spring, but higher temperatures bring risks. IIABNY and its member independent insurance agents and brokers encourage all to protect themselves from the costs of flood and mud.

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc. has represented the common business interests of independent insurance professionals since 1882. More than 1,750 agencies and their 13,000 plus employees currently rely on the DeWitt, New York-based not-for-profit trade association for legislative advocacy, continuing education and other means of industry support. In addition, most IIABNY members proudly identify themselves as Trusted Choice® agents and brokers, a national consumer brand uniting more than 21,000 independent agencies across the United States. For more information, go to www.trustedchoice.com or www.iiabny.org.