Flood Insurance in Gilchrist County, Florida

How to Get Flood Insurance in Gilchrist County, Florida

Located in the North Central portion of Florida, Gilchrist County offers residents a peaceful rural life that’s defined by several natural springs and a small-town feel. While Gilchrist County is known for its laid-back feel, its tropical storm exposure has led to flooding and disaster area labels from the government.

With Florida flood risks continually rising, flood insurance is necessary. One silver lining for Gilchrist County residents? Our flood insurance rates are lower on average in your region.

Keep reading to discover:

• Why Florida flood insurance rates are so expensive.
• How our flood insurance stacks up to the NFIP.
• How to learn about your home’s flood risks.

Gilchrist County Flood Insurance Costs

On average, our flood insurance costs $207 a year for Gilchrist County, Florida – about $428 cheaper on average than the NFIP for this area. To see how much you’ll save, contact us! Your flood rate depends on your home’s flood zone and safety features.

Kin vs. NFIP Average Flood Insurance Premiums

Florida has the highest risk of flooding out of any US state. Eleven thousand miles of rivers, waterways, and streams coupled with flat terrain set Florida’s stage for flooding when hurricanes or tropical storms occur. Flooding is so common in Florida that homes in V and A flood zones are required to purchase a flood insurance policy.

While the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) used to be the go-to option for flood protection, Kin can help most Florida residents get a cheaper flood insurance rate. Money isn’t the only thing you’ll save, either. Florida residents that purchase a separate flood insurance policy from the NFIP have to wait 30 days before their coverage takes effect. With us, there’s no waiting period.

Additional benefits of our Florida flood insurance include:

• No separate deductibles.
• One premium for home and flood insurance.
• No elevation certificate required.
• We handle both your home and flood insurance questions and claims.

Gilchrist County has several high-risk flood zones, which means a lot of homeowners in this region may be required to have flood insurance. Let's take a closer look at the flood zones in Gilchrist County.

Flood Zones in Gilchrist County, Florida

Virtually all of Gilchrist County’s high-risk flood zones are in the central portion, north eastern, and the western border of the region. The center of Gilchrist County contains numerous natural springs, the Suwannee River runs north and south through the county's western border, and the Santa Fe River sits in the county's north eastern portion.

The high-risk zones in Gilchrist County are flood zones A and AE. The rest of Gilchrist County is at a moderate to low risk for flooding. A and AE flood zones have a one percent annual chance of flooding and a 26 percent chance of flooding over a 30-year mortgage period.

What Gilchrist County Flood Insurance Covers

Flood insurance can help repair your home, other structures, and belongings after they experience water damage from a source outside of the home, like storm surges or broken water mains.

While it provides a lot of coverage, there are some items and structures it doesn't cover:

• Boathouses or anything boats are attached to.
• Fences and retaining walls.
• Sea walls.
• Hot tubs, pool, and pool equipment.
• Landscaping.
• Decks.
• Septic systems.
• Moisture or mold/mildew damage that could’ve been prevented.
• Additional living expenses when a flood makes the home uninhabitable.
• Cars and other vehicles.
• Earthquakes and earth movements caused by floods.

How to Assess Your Home's Flood Risk

Start by understanding your home’s actual risk of experiencing a flood. You can type in your address in Flood Factor, a peer reviewed resource that summarizes your area’s past and future flood risk.

For example, in Newberry, Florida, 22 percent of its properties are at risk for flood damage. It projects in 30 years, almost 11 percent more properties will be at risk.

Once you know your risk, take measures to lower your home's risk of flooding. Doing so can decrease the chance of claims and keep your flood rates lower over time. It’s also smart to have a plan for how your family will respond if your home ever floods.