Media Contact: Nicole Farr
602 996-7009 (Office)

Phoenix, AZ (January 26, 2010)  – Last week’s blast of winter rain and snow storms are nature’s reminder that floods can occur anywhere, even in Arizona’s desert and mountain regions. While most Arizonans know the risks and heed the warnings of winter storms and summer monsoons, some residents along rivers, washes and low-lying areas, risk uncovered losses due to property damage because they don’t have flood insurance.

Contrary to a national study, that showed 33 percent of Americans believe their homeowners policy covers flood damage, flood insurance must be purchased separately from homeowner’s insurance. Coverage for that peril is available through the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program. Go to www.floodsmart.gov or phone 1-888-379-9531 to learn more.

“A typical homeowner’s insurance policy will cover rain or wind-driven rain damage to your home,” says Ron Williams, executive director of the Arizona Insurance Council (AIC). “Unfortunately, Arizona’s storms and monsoons cause rapidly rising flood waters that can damage or destroy a home, leaving some residents without the proper insurance coverage.”

Flood insurance covers losses to property where flooding damages structures; furnaces, water heaters and air conditioning units; floor surfaces (carpeting and title); and pays for cleanup of flood debris.

To learn more about property and casualty insurance in Arizona visit the AIC web site at www.azinsurance.org.

The Arizona Insurance Council is a non-profit organization supported by member companies in the property-casualty insurance business.

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