Flood Insurance in Glades County, Florida

How to Get Glades County Flood Insurance

Glades County, Florida, has the fourth lowest county population in the state. While the population of Glades County is low, the county itself is far from small – it covers 250 square miles of Lake Okeechobee, the largest lake in Florida. If you’re looking to get away from the noise, Glades County offers excellent fishing, quiet backroads, and plenty of opportunities for scenic photographs.

Florida residents have to face the possibility of floods, and Glades County is no exception. Flood risks are continually on the rise because of climate change. Several high-risk flood zones in Glades County make flood insurance a smart idea. After all, homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, and the Okeechobee River and Glades County’s various canals are prime catalysts for floods when prolonged rainfall, hurricanes, or tropical storms occur.

While the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) used to be Florida’s only option for flood protection, we're proud to offer cheaper flood insurance rates for Glades County homeowners.

Glades County Flood Insurance Costs

Our average flood insurance rate is $221 for Glades County homeowners. The NFIP's average flood insurance rate for Glades County residents is $538 – about $316 more a year. Contact us for a quote and keep in mind that your rates may vary based on your flood zone and other factors.

Kin vs. NFIP Average Flood Insurance Premiums

Not sure if you need flood insurance in Florida? Consider these statistics that illustrate how important this coverage can be:

• 2.9 million single-family homes are at risk for storm surge damage during category five storms.
• 98 percent of Florida residents who live in coastal areas are at risk for flood damage.
• 42 percent of all Florida homeowners have flood insurance.
• 20 to 25 percent of flood claims occur outside of high-risk flood zones.
• Even one inch of standing water can cost $26,807 in repairs.

If you live in an area with V or A flood zones and you have a federal backed mortgage, you’re required to have flood insurance for your property.

Flood Zones in Glades County, Florida

Take a look at the flood zones in Glades County, and you’ll see most of the region is either in a high-risk flood zone or near a high-risk flood zone. The two high-risk flood zones in Glades County are A and AE flood zones. Flood zone A is most prevalent near Lake Okeechobee while other high-risk flood zones can be found near the numerous creeks, rivers, and canals.

A and AE flood zones both have a one percent annual chance of flooding and a 26 percent chance of flooding over a 30-year mortgage period. Flood zone A has a 100-year floodplain with no determinable base flood elevation (BFE), while AE zones have a 100-year floodplain with determinable BFEs.

BFE is the height to which a flood is predicted to rise during a base flood. A base flood (or a 100-year flood) is a flood that has a one percent chance of exceeding base elevation in any given year.

What Does Glades County Flood Insurance Cover?

When comparing flood coverage options, remember that price isn’t the only factor. You should also consider service.

For example, with the NFIP, you must have an elevation certificate and wait 30 days for your coverage to take effect. With us, your coverage is effective immediately and you can add it onto your homeowners policy. No juggling two policies, two premiums, and two deductibles. It keeps things simple: we match your flood limits to those for your home, other structures, and personal property.

Flood insurance can help pay for repairs when a storm surge or broken water main causes water damage to:

• Electrical, heating, cooling, and plumbing systems.
• Appliances.
• Carpeting and window treatments.
• Personal property.
• Cabinets and paneling.
• Detached garages and sheds.

And more!

How to Find Your Home's Flood Risk

If you own a home in Glades County, you can use Flood Factor to see your property's flood history, current flood outlook, and future flood risks. For example, 43 percent of properties in Palmdale, Florida, are at risk of flooding. That number is projected to grow by 7 percent in the next 30 years, too.

Once you understand your property's risk for flooding, you can take steps to minimize your home's risk of experiencing flood damage.