Keep or ditch flood insurance?
I’m debt-free except for my home, and I’ll have that paid off in about 12 months. I currently make $60,000 a year and live in an area of Florida that is designated a flood plain, because a river that empties into Tampa Bay runs behind my home. Currently, I’m paying $1,070 a month for flood insurance. My house is worth $325,000, and water has only come up into the yard twice in over 20 years. Since I’m doing pretty well financially, do you think I need to keep my flood insurance policy?
Dear Dave,
I'm debt-free except for my home, and I'll have that paid off in about 12 months. I currently make $60,000 a year and live in an area of Florida that is designated a flood plain, because a river that empties into Tampa Bay runs behind my home. Currently, I'm paying $1,070 a month for flood insurance. My house is worth $325,000, and water has only come up into the yard twice in over 20 years. Since I'm doing pretty well financially, do you think I need to keep my flood insurance policy?
Trudy
Dear Trudy,
From what you've told me about the history of your property, it sounds like your biggest concern might be if a hurricane caused a backwash in your area. Insurance is already pretty tough in Florida when it comes to those kinds of things, but you don't want to run the risk of your house getting mowed down and losing everything.
If I were in your shoes, I think I'd like the protection of flood insurance. What you're paying for the policy is such a small percentage of your world, compared to the value of your home and your income. Keep the coverage, Trudy!
-Dave
Dave Ramsey is America's trusted voice on money and business. He has authored five New York Times best-selling books: Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover, EntreLeadership and Smart Money Smart Kids. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 6 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com.
because a river that empties into Tampa Bay runs behind my home. Currently, I’m paying $1,070 a month for flood insurance. My house is worth $325,000, and water has only come up into
the yard twice in over 20 years. Since I’m doing pretty well financially, do you think I need to keep my flood insurance policy?
Trudy
Dear Trudy,
From what you’ve told me about the history of your property, it sounds like your biggest concern might be if a hurricane caused a backwash in your area. Insurance is already pretty
tough in Florida when it comes to those kinds of things, but you don’t want to run the risk of your house getting mowed down and losing everything.
If I were in your shoes, I think I’d like the protection of flood insurance. What you’re paying for the policy is such a small percentage of your world, compared to the value of your
home and your income. Keep the coverage, Trudy!