To buy a flood insurance policy, call your insurance agent or contact one of the WriteYour Own companies, private insurance companies that write flood insurance under a special arrangement with the Federal government. If your agent does not write flood insurance or you don't have an agent, you may call the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) toll free number to obtain the name of an agent in your area who does write flood insurance. The number is 1-888-CALL FLOOD, ext. 445. You can also check your local Yellow Pages directory.
It's a good idea to have the same agent who writes your homeowners or other insurance policies also write your flood insurance policy so in the event you need to file a claim, you only have to work with one insurance agency or
company.
How can you pay for flood insurance?
In addition to paying the full annual premium by (cash, check or money order), you can now buy flood insurance with a credit card (Visa or MasterCard).
Another way flood insurance premiums can be paid is through an escrow account established by your mortgage lender. In fact, if your lender requires you to buy flood insurance and escrows for other types of insurance or taxes, the lender is required to also escrow flood insurance premium payments. Ask your insurance agent or lender for details.
Updated: 10/6/1998