Natural Disasters & Cincinnati Insurance
Natural disasters wreak havoc on not only homes but also lives. In Cincinnati, Ohio, severe storms, floods, tornadoes, landslides, and winter storms are common extreme weather cases that can affect overall insurance premiums. Historical flooding and extreme weather determine the price of your home insurance rates. Policyholders like you should always know what your insurance program offers and whether your home requires additional coverage.
Tornadoes
Tornadoes leave paths of destruction wherever they go, including in Cincinnati, as it is an active tornado zone. In April 2020 alone, 19 tornadoes touched down in the Cincinnati metro area. And while tornadoes are generally covered on Cincinnati homeowners insurance policies, it’s strongly advised to find out whether your comprehensive coverage is sufficient in cases of a tornado. The same is also true if you have renters insurance.
To figure out whether you have enough coverage, assess your personal belongings, and figure out how expensive replacement costs would be, as most policies are capped based on the coverage amounts. It may be wise to purchase additional coverage for the cost of replacements, especially if you ever find yourself needing to replace everything in your home.
Winter Weather
Hazardous winter weather is also typical in Cincinnati. Heavy snow and ice can cause damage to the roofing and exterior fixtures of your home. And while damage is generally covered by most comprehensive insurance policies, it’s essential to know whether water damage is covered. Talk to your insurance agent to find out if additional coverage is necessary.
Flooding
Cincinnati has seen some terrible flooding in its history. In 1937 and 60 years later, in 1997, Cincinnati had historic flooding from the Ohio River, reaching devastating levels that left hundreds of thousands homeless. River waters rise and flood parks, businesses, and homes. Cincinnati may soon see more historic flooding, which overwhelms the relatively small city and devastates homeowners.
The standard Cincinnati home insurance policy does not include flood coverage. For homeowners and renters insurance, you will need to know what your insurance options are. Luckily, the federal government provides flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Independent agents generally sell these flood policies. Talk to your local agent for more information on local rates.