To understand what flood insurance covers, you need to know three things first:1. Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage at all. It’ll cover some damage from rain, but if your home is filled with water as a result of rising bodies of lakes, rivers, streams, and oceans, it won’t cover you.2. The most common flood insurance is offered through the federally regulated program known as the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It has two policies:One that covers your actual home (building property) up to $250,000One that covers your personal property up to $100,000You can buy one or both.Related: What happens if you need more than $250,000 worth of coverage? You need to get excess flood insurance, which is only offered by private companies, not the Feds.3. You might have to buy it. If you’re taking out a mortgage on a property that’s in a high-risk zone (also called a Special Hazard Flood Area), your lender will require you to buy a policy in order to get the loan.

If you just want to buy policy, you have to make sure your community participates in the national flood program. Flooding affects every state, so you’re probably eligible.Related:Should You Buy Flood Insurance?What the Federal Flood Insurance Program CoversNFIP’s building property policy covers the cost to rebuild or the actual value of your home (whichever is less). That includes:Your home and its foundationElectrical and plumbing systemsHVAC equipment like air conditioning, furnaces, and water heatersKitchen appliances, including your refrigerator, stove, and built-ins such as your dishwasherPermanently installed carpeting over an unfinished floorPermanently installed wallboard, paneling, bookcases, and cabinetsWindow blindsDetached garages (limited to 10% of your home policy)Debris removalWater heaterThe NFIP policy that covers your personal property will cover stuff like: Clothing, furniture, and electronic equipmentCurtainsWindow AC unitsPortable microwaves and dishwashersCarpets not covered by your building policyWasher/dryersYour freezer and frozen foodUp to $2,500 in valuables, such as art and fursNote: Personal possessions claims are paid based on actual cash value — not what you paid for them.

What Isn’t CoveredTypically, if it belongs in a bank or safe deposit box, it’s not covered:Precious metalsStock certificatesBearer bondsCashOther items not covered:TreesPlantsWellsSeptic systemsWalkwaysDecksPatiosFencesHot tubsSwimming poolsRetaining wallsStorm sheltersTemporary housing and other living expensesLoss of incomeCarsPost-flood mold damage (more about insurance and mold here)Sewer backupsCoverage is Limited for BasementsIf you have a basement, you’ll have more risk because the NFIP limits coverage for basementsT Shirt Sos, crawlspaces, or any living space where the floor is below ground level. Hunting Dogs For Sale HawaiiEven a walkout basement won’t be covered for:BookcasesWindow treatmentsCarpeting, tile, and other floor coveringsSome drywall, depending on how far below ground level it isPanelingWalls and ceilings not made of drywallMost personal property such as clothing, electronic equipment, kitchen supplies, and furnitureThere’s a Limit to How Often You Can CollectIf you make four or more flood claims for more than $5,000 eachOutdoor Soaking Tubs For Two

, or two claims that, added together, cost more than your home, NFIP will “offer” you a grant to make your home less vulnerable to floods. If you refuse to take the grant money and make the improvements, your policy payments will probably increase substantially.If a Flood Severely Damages Your HomeNFIP may give you $30,000 to use to raise, tear down, or move your home. That $30,000 gets added on to any other claim NFIP pays you. But the total still can’t go above $250,000.How Much Does It Cost?The average cost is about $600 for a one-year premium; your insurance company, which issues the policy, can give you a quote. Ultimately, the amount depends on such factors as the amount of coverage, deductible, the risk level of your flood zone, and the age of the building. More About What Qualifies as a FloodAs mentioned earlier, regular homeowners insurance doesn’t cover floods. So when is damage considered to be caused by a flood?Water has to cover at least 2 acres of land that’s normally dry, or has to have damaged two or more properties (one being your home).

Also, the water has to come from:Overflowing inland or tidal watersUnusual, rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any sourceMudflow (that’s mud carried by a flow of water, creating a river of mud)You’re also covered when shorefront land collapses or sinks due to waters above “anticipated cyclical levels.”Water and seepage that comes from sewer or drain backups, or a sump pump that overflows is not considered a flood.TIPS:Don’t wait for an impending storm to purchase federal flood insurance. There’s usually a 30-day waiting period. Some private policies offer a 15-day waiting period.Make an inventory of the possessions in your home to make filing a claim easier.Home Government Department List Community & Economic Development Building Inspections Permit Requirements A building permit must be purchased from the West Valley City Building Inspection Division. Inspections for installation approval will be required for the following activities that relate to single family dwellings:

Expanding the home by additions to the building, including adding habitable space, garages, carports, and roof projections Adding any electrical appliances that are considered a fixed installation, and are not replacing similar appliances Adding, deleting, or altering any duct work for any heating or cooling system Installing hot tubs, jacuzzis, saunas, or spas Adding, deleting, or altering any electrical circuits Adding or deleting sections of Natural gas lines Adding, deleting, or altering existing plumbing fixtures to accommodate more (or less) plumbing fixtures Altering the existing electrical service equipment (the meter) or any electrical panels Altering the home by remodeling to include adding, altering, or deleting interior walls, finishing rooms or areas previously unfinished (including basements), changing the use of a room or area, and altering the slope of the roof through a roof conversion Building any detached structures such as garages, barns, tool and storage sheds, playhouses, pool or hot tub enclosures, and similar uses where the structure exceeds 200 square feet in floor area