If you have questions about whether or not you need flood insurance, consider the following:

• Maintaining a flood insurance policy is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and reduce the cost of flood disasters.
• Homeowner's insurance policies do not cover damages caused by floodwater.  Only a flood insurance policy covers damage caused by flooding.
• Most of the people whose homes damaged or destroyed in the flood caused by Hurricane Floyd had no flood insurance.
• Most forms of federal disaster assistance, including FEMA's Temporary Housing and Individual and Family Grant Programs, are only offered if the President declares a major disaster.
• 90% of disasters are not declared a disaster by the President.
• The most typical form of federal disaster assistance is a Small Business Administration loan that must be paid back with interest. The average duration and loan payment for a disaster home loan is 18.5 years and $140 a month.
• To qualify for home repair assistance, your home must have relatively minor damages that can be repaired quickly. No rental assistance is available unless your home has been destroyed or significantly damaged.
• The average Individual and Family Grant is less than $2,500.
• Floods are the most common natural disaster. 80% of all disasters declared major by the President are floods.
• Buildings in flood hazard areas have a 26% chance of being flooded during a 30-year mortgage.
  The average premium for a National Flood Insurance Program policy in North Carolina is $318.00
  Homeowners, business owners, and renters can all purchase flood insurance as long as their community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. Even if a disaster is not declared by the President, flood insurance claims are paid.
• When you carry a flood insurance policy and file a flood insurance claim, you usually get a partial payment immediately.
• Flood insurance reimburses you for all covered losses. 
• Disaster aid is limited to replacing essential items only.
• Homeowners can get up to $250,000 of coverage and businesses up to $500,000.  Separate contents coverage also is available.
• Renters can obtain up to $100,000 of coverage.