Ice jams on the Connecticut River and Housatonic River this winter may have prompted some questions from property owners on insurance coverage from flooding due to such events.

Homeowner's Insurance

Property owners with damage due to an ice jam should contact their insurance company to determine coverage.  Be advised that most homeowner's policies will NOT cover structural or contents damage due to flooding.  Many homeowner's insurance policies do not cover damage to docks, piers, or retaining walls caused by the weight of ice.  It is advised that property owners always consult with their insurance company since each homeowner's policy may contain different exclusions.  When in doubt, submitting a claim may be the best way to determine if there is coverage available.

Flood Insurance - Policy In Effect

Property owners with a flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) with damage should contact their insurance agent to initiate a claim.  Itemize possessions and document the damage, particularly structural damage, thoroughly with multiple photographs, date and time stamped if possible.

Keep in mind the definition of a "flood" under a NFIP policy that must be met to make a claim:

Flood - A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or two or more properties (at least one of which is the policyholder's property) from: 

• Overflow of inland or tidal waters; or
• Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; or
• Mudflow, or
• Collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood as defined above.

With this definition of "flood", property owners are encouraged to take pictures of flooding on adjacent properties and roadways to show that at least two properties have been flooded.  The definition also does not mention ice damage.  Residents are encouraged to take pictures of flood water before it freezes to prove damage by flooding.  An NFIP flood insurance policy does not cover damage to docks, piers, decks or retaining walls.  These FEMA publications may be helpful to property owners filing a claim or seeking more information:

• National Flood Insurance Program Summary of Coverage
• Flood Insurance Claim Handbook
• FEMA Winter Flooding Fact Sheet
• New Hampshire Ice Jam Flooding Fact Sheet

Flood Insurance - No Policy In Effect

Ice jams are NOT considered in the mapping of floodplains on FEMA's flood insurance rate maps (FIRM).  Ice jam flooding can be unpredictable and happen very quickly.  It is important for property owners near watercourses to know that flooding can occur outside the mapped floodplain due to the unusual circumstances created by an ice jam.

All communities in Connecticut participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  As such, all property owners, both within and outside the mapped 100-year floodplain, can purchase a flood insurance policy through the NFIP.  Property owners within the mapped 100-year floodplain with a federally-backed mortgage are required by the lender to maintain flood insurance coverage.  Property owners located within the mapped 100-year floodplain without a mortgage may purchase a policy if they do not currently have one in effect.  Property owners located outside the mapped 100-year floodplain can also purchase a flood policy and may be eligible for a Preferred Risk Policy (PRP) costing approximately $300-$500 per year.  Many insurance companies write flood insurance policies for the federal government.  Property owners may also contact the insurance company for their homeowner's policy as they usually will be able to write a flood insurance policy through the NFIP. 

FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) can be viewed at the FEMA Map Service Center (MSC) to determine the flood risk for a property.  There is a 30 day waiting period before a new policy takes effect.  If a flood insurance policy is needed for the closing of a mortgage, the policy will go into effect at the time of closing.  A new policy is not retroactive and will not cover any damages which incurred before the policy takes effect.     

The Federal Housing Administration created the 203(k) Rehabilitation Program, which has been around since the 1970s.  It was originally designed to encourage families in low- to moderate-income brackets to purchase homes that are in dire need of repairs, especially homes in older communities.  However, it can also be used to finance flood mitigation projects even without a presidential disaster declaration.  These loans can be used by:

• Homeowners who want to protect their homes from floods by elevating, or
• People wanting to purchase a flood-prone home, but rehabilitate it to make it more resilient to future floods. 

The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) developed a fact sheet on this little known program so flood risk professionals could spread the word.

• April 17, 2018, 1:00pm - CRS:  Preparing an Annual Recertification
• April 18, 2018, 1:00pm - CRS:  Preparing an Impact Adjustment Map
• April 26, 2018, 1:00pm - Tools for Determining Base Flood Elevations
• May 10, 2018, 1:00pm - NFIP Basics
• May 15, 2018, 1:00pm - Introduction to the CRS
• May 16, 2018, 1:00pm - CRS and Coastal Hazards
• May 24, 2018, 12:00pm - Floodplain Development Permit Review
• May 24, 2018, 1:30pm - Inspecting Floodplain Development
• June 7, 2018, 1:00pm - How to Review a "No-Rise" Certificate
• June 14, 2018, 1:00pm - Elevation Certificates