Property & Casualty Corner
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Brought to you by:
Unfortunately, many people do not know the basics about flooding or flood insurance. It is important that consumers have the facts about their flood risk and have an understanding about flood insurance so that they can make informed decisions. The following are important facts and figures that provide a good picture of the risk of flooding, its impact and options for protection.
RISK - Floods are the number one natural disaster in the United States.
- Just an inch of water can cause costly damage to property.
- Everyone is at risk - due to weather systems, land development runoff or regional events.
- Most homeowners insurance doesn't cover flood damage.
- More than 50 percent of properties in high-risk areas remain unprotected by flood insurance; all properties in high-risk areas need to be protected with flood insurance.
- Twenty to 25 percent of all flood insurance claims are filed in low-to moderate-risk areas.
- New construction can increase flood risk, especially if it changes natural runoff paths.
- More than 5 million Americans are protected with flood insurance, but millions more are unaware of their personal risk for property damage - or options for protection.
- There is a 26 percent chance of flooding during a 30year mortgage, compared to a 9 percent chance of fire for buildings in high-risk flood areas.
- In the South and West, approximately 60 percent of homeowners in high-risk areas, or Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), are covered by flood insurance. However, outside of the high-risk areas, 1 percent of homeowners in non-SFHAs have purchased flood insurance (Source: RAND Corporation).
- In Northeast and Midwest SFHAs, the flood insurance coverage is significantly lower than in other areas of the United States. More than 70 percent of Northeast residents and nearly 80 percent of Midwesterners lack financial protection in case of a flood (Source: RAND Corporation).
IMPACT - Flood losses in the United States averaged $2.4 billion per year for the last decade.
- The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) paid nearly $16 billion in flood insurance claims to policyholders during the 2005 hurricane season (as of August 31, 2006).
- Federal disaster assistance is usually a loan that must be paid back with interest - and is only available when a disaster has been federally declared.
- In the last 50 years, nearly 1,000 flood events have been designated as federally declared disasters.
- Nearly 75 percent of all federally declared disasters over the past five years involved flooding.
PROTECTION - Property owners, renters and businesses can purchase flood insurance if their community is among the more than 20,200 communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.
- It typically takes 30 days after the purchase of flood insurance for the policy to take effect.
- The average premium for a yearly flood insurance policy is approximately $500.
- People in low-to moderate-risk areas may be eligible for the Preferred Risk Policy with flood insurance premiums starting as low as $112 a year.
- Consumers can visit FloodSmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419 to learn how to prepare for floods, how to purchase a flood insurance policy and what the benefits are of protecting their homes and property against flooding.
Lowcountry Insurance Services is partnered with Harbour Health Insurance Solutions to provide an even greater level of support for all of our clients than could be previously offered alone by the agencies. If you are interested in a joint review of current coverage by a LCINS / HHIS can contact Lowcountry Insurance (843-522-2020) or Harbour Health (843-671-9200). |
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Wellness Tip of the Month
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Brought to you from Alicea Glover at:
If you went into hiding for the winter months, it's time to get out and get back into the swing of things! Take advantage of this beautiful Hilton Head weather and get out and go PLAY! Check out these benefits for working out in the good ol' outdoors.
- It's free! There are no membership fees to explore what's in your own backyard. You don't need any special equipment and no matter where you are, it is always available for you to take advantage of.
- Get a breath of fresh air. You may be surprised to hear that the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that indoor air is more than twice as polluted as outdoor air.
- There's more variety. It's easy to get bored looking out the same window everyday as you run/walk on the same treadmill week after week. The outdoors gives you the flexibility to change things up. Hilton Head offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking the trails, going for a bike ride or trying some Stand Up Paddle Boarding. Take advantage of your surroundings. The change in scenery keeps you from getting bored and makes working out feel less like a chore.
- There are fewer limitations. Have you ever gone to a gym only to find that the class you were hoping to attend is full or that all the machines are being used? Well, exercising outside eliminates all those limitations. You are also able to pick when you want to exercise based on your schedule, not the gym's.
Still need a little more motivation?
Add these H3 Staff favorites to your workout playlist and you'll be spring-ing off the couch!
- "One Tribe" Black Eyed Peas - Amber Shadwick
- "The Anthem" PitBull - Lisette Volz
- "Thunderstruck" AC/DC - Adam Martin
- "Feel So Close" Calvin Harris - Kelly Hillyer
- "Fighter" Christina Aguilera - Jen Welper
- "Blow" Ke$ha - Karla Williams
- "Drive By" Train - Jeff Ford
- "Bleed it Out" Linkin Park - Lisette Volz
- "Heartbeat" (Chase & Status Remix) Nneka - Alicea Glover
- "Remember the Name" Fort Minor - Adam Martin
Get the full list of our favorite workout songs on H3Daily.com!
Alicea Glover is responsible for H3 Direct, a corporate wellness program, facilitated by Hilton Head Health (H3), designed to take the inspiration of H3's Healthy Lifestyle™ program, delivered to your door. It's not too late to begin a program for your company - call 800-785-3919 for information about how you can invest in your employees' health for less than a quarter a day!
'Like' Hilton Head Health on Facebook and 'Follow' us on Pinterest!
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H3 Recipe of the Month
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Brought to you from Alicea Glover and:
Fresh produce is springing up all around!
Incorporate vegetables in your everyday meals and it's easy to reach the suggested number of servings each day. Shop fresh and locally, and not only will your dishes be more satisfying, but you'll also feel better knowing your supporting the community.
Pile on the flavor in this White Chicken Pita Pizza or put a healthy spin a classic in this Squash Quesadilla recipe.
Let us show you how to create these delicious recipes and more in our new state-of-the-art learning kitchen and cooking school at the Culinary Arts Center.
This month you'll find a variety of cooking classes in the Culinary Arts Center at Hilton Head Health such as Cooking for 1 or 2 and Introduction to Herbs and Spices- or let us do all the work as you watch the Chef prepare your meal right before you during our Chef's Table dinner party.
The Culinary Arts Center is open to Lowcountry residents and visitors so check out our calendar of classes or call (800) 292-2440 for more information on class offerings, private parties and gift certificates.
'Like' the Culinary Arts Center at Hilton Head Health on Facebook!
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Harbour Health Insurance Solutions is a proud member of both the:
Are you a Chamber member? Call us to take advantage of special group and individual insurance options exclusively for Chamber members! 
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Good or Bad, Complaint or Compliment, please let us know what you think we are doing right and if you think we can improve on anything.
We strive to ensure that you are pleased with our work and we truly appreciate any remarks that will help both improve our operations and promote our best qualities.
CLICK HERE to let us know about your experience with Harbour Health
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