Houses and vehicles at the Highland Glen subdivision stand in floodwaters due to Hurricane Harvey in Spring, Texas. (Photo: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg)
Home insurance is a must in today's day and age, but home insurance is not a failsafe for all scenarios an insured might encounter. When it comes to flooding, coverage depends on the value of the home, the amount of water damage and whether you have a flood insurance policy, according to Bankrate. Regular home insurance doesn't cover flooding; to be covered, an insured needs a policy offered through the government's National Flood Insurance Program. Related: Hurricane season is starting, and critics ask if FEMA is ready |

Flooding doesn't equal a total loss

People tend to associate floods with a total loss, but the average flood claim for U.S. homeowners is about $39,000, Bankrate reports. While flooding doesn't nearly affect certain areas like others, climate change has shown that areas once considered unlikely to be affected by flooding — like Houston when Hurricane Harvey was intensifying — must now prepare for any and all types of extreme weather. To stay ahead of the next flooding event, it's critical to first debunk many of the myths associated with floods. With this in mind, below are five common myths associated with flooding and the truths you need to know. Related: NFIP changes: What agents selling flood coverage need to know right now

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Denny Jacob

Denny Jacob is an associate editor for NU PropertyCasualty360. Contact him at [email protected].

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