Homeowners Association could be sued in the Trayvon Martin case.

By: Michael Ashley
Timothy Cline Insurance Agency, Inc.

In yet another instance of real-life insurance repercussions ripped from today’s headlines, the homeowners association of the neighborhood where Trayvon Martin’s tragic shooting happened could be sued.

The reason: George Zimmerman’s [the neighborhood watcher who allegedly shot Martin] could be found not guilty by a judge or jury due to Florida’s so-called Stand Your Ground Law. (*See below for an explanation of this law.)

Zimmerman’s clearance and/or acquittal wouldn’t necessarily stop Martin’s parents from suing The Retreat at Twin Lakes HOA who authorized the neighborhood watch. After all, the HOA’s insurance policies and assets make it a more lucrative target than Zimmerman, even if he is found guilty of a crime.

According to legal experts, Exhibit A could very well likely be the association newsletter sent to residents in February, the same month as the shooting occurred. Under the heading Neighborhood Watch, the newsletter recommended that residents first call the police and then “Please contact our Captain George Zimmerman… so he can be aware and help address the issue with other residents.”

By designating Zimmerman the neighborhood watch captain in writing through the newsletter, the HOA may have opened itself up to liability claims since a court could interpret that Zimmerman was acting as a “rented” or “volunteer” police officer for the neighborhood, especially since his actions in that capacity resulted in the death of another human being.

However, even if the association were to be sued in connection to the killing it could ultimately be dismissed from any action and/or not found liable, especially since there is evidence that the HOA reached out to the local sheriff’s office to set up the local neighborhood watch and relied on their experience and expertise.

Whichever way this potential lawsuit shakes out could have a serious impact on the nature of volunteerism, which is at the heart of many healthy and properly managed homeowners associations throughout the country.

If there is anything that we in the HOA community can take from this tragedy, it’s the hope that future associations heed the message that voluntary prudence is crucial for our communities. Each association has an obligation to take pronounced steps to ensure that they have the right volunteers and oversight in place. And it’s important that those volunteers are very keenly aware of their limitations, obligations, and the potential liability they incur simply by donating their time and efforts for the benefit of their community.

The benefits of volunteering are great, as are the consequences should something go wrong.

*HOW FLORIDA LAW IMPACTED THIS CASE:

1) Stand Your Ground Law Definition*: A stand-your-ground law states that a person may use force in self-defense when there is reasonable belief of a threat, without an obligation to retreat first.
*Laws and their application of this doctrine vary by state

2) 2011 Florida Stand Your Ground Law Statutes: CHAPTER 776 JUSTIFIABLE USE OF FORCE. Use of force in defense of person.

776.012—A person is justified in using force, except deadly force, against another when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or herself or another against the other’s imminent use of unlawful force.

However, a person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat if:

He or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent

   (1) imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony; or

   (2) Under those circumstances permitted pursuant to s. 776.013.

Reference:  Timothy Cline Insurance Agency, Inc. Newsletter (April 2012)

http://www.timothycline.com/

How to Clean a Washing Machine

In order for a washing machine to continue to keep getting your clothes clean, it needs to be kept clean itself.

 

By: Christina Peterson

 

Here’s how to keep your washer in top shape.

• When a cycle’s finished, remove the load promptly. This will prevent a musty smell from developing in the washtub and then being transferred to your clothes and linens.
• Running a monthly cleaning cycle can eliminate any odors that do develop. Many newer models have a special washer cleaning cycle. If yours doesn’t, add liquid chlorine bleach to the dispenser and run a normal cycle with hot water; or use a speciality cleaner, like Affresh (http://www.affresh.com/#/home_blankAffresh) or Tide Washing Machine Cleaner following the packing directions. If you have a front-loader, be sure to wipe the rubber gasket.
• After each use, lift the lid or keep the door slightly ajar to allow air to circulate and dry out any remaining moisture. Don’t forget to remove any water or fabric softener gunk from the dispenser drawers. For help on how to clean them out, check your washer’s manual.
• If you have a pet that sheds in the house, there’s no way around it, you’re going to find pet hair in your washer after running several loads. The easiest way to remove it is to leave the door open until the pet hair and drum are thoroughly dry. Then, using your vac’s soft brush attachment, vacuum out the pet hair.
• Don’t forget to clean the exterior of your washer too. Use a soft damp cloth to wipe up spills and never use an abrasive cleanser or solvent which can scratch and damage the surface.
• There is a hidden spot in your washing machine that you may have never thought to clean before — the inlet hose filters. You’ll find them inside the water inlet connections. Their purpose is to keep minerals and debris in your water from getting inside the washer. And when they’re clogged, water won’t flow adequately into the machine for a wash cycle.

If your old washer has died or you want to find a more efficient model, here’s the dirt on the best washing machines.

Resource: http://living.msn.com/home-decor/cleaning-organizing/how-to-clean-a-washing-machine-9

Single Family Rentals Now Exceed Multifamily

Written by: Steve Cook  

 

While inventories of homes for sale have been shrinking this spring, MLSs are filling the void with rental listings for single family homes that until recently were foreclosures. Some 16.1 percent of all listings on MLSs today are rentals, more than double the number in 2006.

Single family rentals are $3 trillion business today and growing as investors turn to real estate and opt to rent out the bargains they buy until prices improve. Today the single family rental market accounts for 21 million rental units or 52 percent of the entire residential rental market, according to a new study by CoreLogic economist Sam Khater.

Yet the single family rental market is poorly understood and almost invisible to economists and journalists because virtually all rental market data tracks multifamily properties and either ignores the single family segment or lumps it together with multifamily.

“Single family rentals are very distinct from multifamily and they behave very differently,” said Khater in an interview with Real Estate Economy Watch. For example, on a per unit basis, rents for single family rentals run 1.5 to 1.6 times higher than multifamily. Unlike multifamily, millions of single family rentals are listed on MLSs by real estate brokers, many of who represent new owners in acquiring investment properties. As the for-sale inventory has trended down since 2005, the rental share rose 13.3 percent last year alone. As of the end of last year rental closings were up 11.5 percent year-over-year while prices fell 9.8 percent during the year. Demand is strong. The national average months’ supply for single family rentals was 4.5 months in December compared to 6.2 months for homes listed for sale.”

Another important difference is the nature of the tenants. Single family rentals, usually stand-alone properties in ownership settings, appeal more to families. In fact, the typical SFR tenant is a family that has just left a foreclosure and can afford to pay the rent on a former foreclosure but could not make the mortgage payment on their old home, perhaps because they bought with alternative financing or purchased at the peak and could not get a modification when their home lost value. Over the past five years, foreclosures have turned more than 3 million homeowners into renters. Typical multifamily tenants, however, are younger, generally single and more mobile, and have never owned a home.

Khater found a strong relationship between distress sales markets and single family rentals. Census data shows a correlation between single family rentals and the hardest hit areas of the so-called “sand states”-Arizona, California, Florida and Nevada. Investors buying REOs and short sales in foreclosure markets convert them to rental units and homeowners in the same locale who have lost their homes to foreclosure rent homes that until recently were owned by other families who suffered the same ill fortune.

http://www.realestateeconomywatch.com/2012/04/single-family-rentals-now-exceed-multifamily/

Unit Owner Insurance: Why the HOA’s policy is not sufficient.

By Yesenia Castro, License #0G54415, Robert W. Little Insurance Agency, Inc

 

One of the most regrettable moments in a person’s life is when they realize their insurance coverage is not sufficient.  One situation that often leads to this moment is those individual unit owners who believe that their master policy covers all of their potential personal losses.  

 

In order to ensure this moment does not happen, each individual should purchase an individual unit owners policy, also known as an HO-6 policy.  

 

There are five major coverages usually not covered by the HOA’s master policy that the individual unit owner should have included on their individual policy:

 

1. Building property:  Even if the HOA’s master policy does cover building property (also known as betterments and improvements or additions and alterations), the individual unit owner should carry building property coverage for two reasons.  One would be to cover the HOA’s deductible, especially if the CC&R’s of the HOA dictate that the individual unit owner is responsible to cover the deductible before the HOA’s policy applies.  Second, in the event of a total loss and the master policy coverage was exhausted, the individual unit owner could call on their individual policy to cover the betterments and improvements if the HOA’s policy had no coverage to extend.  
2. Personal property or Contents:  Every item that is not tied down or permanently attached to the unit that is owned by the individual unit owner is personal property.  Examples of this could include furniture, clothes, dishes, etc.  The amount of coverage should equal the replacement value of the items.  The replacement value is the value of what it would cost to buy all the items brand new.  It is important that the individual ask their insurance agent/company that there is replacement cost coverage on their personal property coverage.  The individual should also be aware of special limits for certain categories of personal property such as jewelry, collections and business property.  Finally, it is important to also make sure the unit owner keeps an inventory of the replacement cost of each and every item in their home. 
3. Loss of use or additional living expense coverage:   This coverage covers all the additional expenses an individual would incur if they could not occupy their unit due to a covered loss (i.e a fire).  This can include the costs of renting a place while the condo/town home is being rebuilt.  Some companies give dollar amount, others say the cost is covered up to a certain amount of months.  The best coverage typically available gives no dollar cap and covers up to 24 months additional living expense following the covered loss. 
4. Personal liability- The HOA’s master policy liability typically only covers unit owners liability in regards to the individuals unit owners liability for maintenance and repair of the HOA common area.  The liability of the individual unit owner policy typically gives coverage for bodily injury and property damage liability not only for the premises, but worldwide coverage, as long as the individual is not driving a motorized vehicle.  
5. Loss Assessment-  In the event that the HOA has a total coverage loss (such as fire), the HOA may need to assess the individual unit owner for their proportionate share of funds needed if the master policy coverage limits are exhausted.   

 

It should be noted that typically the individual policy will not cover earthquake damage.  The unit owner can purchase an individual earthquake policy or check with their insurance agent/company if the coverage can be added via endorsement. 

 

All coverages should be reviewed with the individual unit owner’s agent or company for the suitability of coverage and level of coverage. 

Good News Ahead For US Apartment Market

Over the last few years the U.S. apartment market achieved notable success in a struggling economy. With the addition of “Echo Boomers” entering the workforce, the apartment sector looks to continue the positive market trend in the future. These were some of the observations shared by guests on a recent episode of the national talk radio station, the “Commercial Real Estate Show.” Occupancy rates, future development locations and rent growth were a few of the market topics discussed.

The national apartment occupancy rate last year was 93.5 percent and according to Ronald G. Johnsey, president of AxioMetrics Inc., the 2012 rate should reach 95 percent. Johnsey added that 2011 saw apartment rents grow by 4.1 percent and will be expected to hit 5.5 percent in 2012. Compared to Class A and B apartments, Class C apartments have not experienced the same growth rate, but this is expected to change. “This year we’re going to fill in Class C,” said Johnsey. “We’re going to see the occupancy rates in all classes get closer to 95 percent, and that’s going to create really strong pricing power.”

Echo Boomers refer to those born in the 1980s and early 1990s. Their addition to the rental pool is why Johnsey feels the road ahead for the apartment sector looks bright. Echo Boomers are currently getting married late and usually have quite a bit of college debt. These two factors alone diminish the possibility of home ownership, thus contributing to the rise of apartment rentals.

According to Doug Culkin, president of the National Apartment Association, 2013 and 2014 should see a noticeable increase in development. Apartment developers are looking for land on both the East and West Coasts, and even plan on targeting college towns where empty nesters seek a bit of culture. Ernie Eden, a senor vice president in Bull Realty Apartment Group says that developers have made “a real move to quality” regarding locations. “If you’ve got a great location, there’s all sorts of interest on the part of developers.”

Source: http://atlantarealestate.citybizlist.com/3/2012/2/6/CREShow-US-Apartment-Market-Continues-to-Roll.aspx

How Do Building Permits Apply to Multi-Family and Commercial Properties?

For the most part building permits were not required before 1927.  The quality of construction depended on the standards of the individual builder.  After various mishaps, it became necessary to develop some basic practices to help ensure health and safety.     In today’s world, any type of construction that costs more than $200 usually requires a permit.  For instance, replacement of a water heater requires a permit.  Adding or altering almost any electrical system requires a permit.  Any structural alteration requires a permit.  Replacement of an HVAC unit requires one.     Repairs often do not require permits, such as roofing repairs.   Permit costs range from about $100 to over 1% of the total cost of the construction.     The responsibility of obtaining the permit is up to the building owner and the contractor who does the work.   In reality the contractor can have his license revoked if the infraction is serious enough.  The safest rule is: when in doubt, check with the local building department to see if what you want to do requires a permit.  A simple phone call will answer your question.   One of the best reasons for having permits is getting the work inspected by a professional who has no vested interest in how the work was done.  They only want to make sure it is done per the local standards.     During inspections we often see work done without the benefit of a building permit.    Building permits are an important aspect to all construction and is an excellent way to ensure that your building and any planned upgrades meet industry standards.

Tenant Screening Process

Screening renters is a process that needs to be undertaken with thorough care.  It’s much more than just accepting who responds to your listings first. A bad tenant can make a good property investment go sour really fast. A great tenant will, ideally, not demand as much negative attention so you can focus on other things. There are a few basic steps to follow to better ensure you will get the right tenant.

The Ad Listing (And What to Put In It)

In order to avoid any potential conflict through the screening process, it is important that you are up front with what exactly you are looking for in the ad. Mention any tenant requirements you may have. This could be: no pets, no smoking, max occupancy, etc. Including rent and fees is also advisable. This will do a couple things. It will likely deter people who do not fit your requirements, saving you time from doing a walkthrough for someone who will inevitably not make the cut.

Having this in writing can also provide protection in the event that a rejected tenant claims you have breached the Fair Housing Act, which states that it is unlawful to reject a tenant based off of race, religion, gender, sexuality, nationality, etc. Adhering your screening to your list of expectations, if a prospective tenant does not show that they will be able to follow through with what you’re asking then it is completely lawful to reject them as a potential candidate. Being able to point them back to your original ad will hopefully reduce or negate conflict.

Background Check and Rental History

Analyzing a tenant’s background can be tricky. If a promising candidate comes along and you discover they have a criminal record, this can be off-putting.  As a landlord, you have every right to turn down an applicant because of their criminal history, but if the tenant seems to be a good fit in all other respects, you may want to take the nature of the crimes into consideration when determining whether renting to him or her is worth the risk.

On your application, include a spot for contact information of previous landlords if applicable. Checking with these sources is immensely valuable. It is illegal for landlords to slander former tenants, but talking with former landlords can help address any concerns you may have with a potential renter. If the applicant has a poor history with past rentals, it could be unwise to continue with them.

Employment and Credit History

Knowing if the tenant will be able to afford rent is crucial to determining if they will help move your investment forward. This can also be tricky though. While someone’s credit score can give you a partial idea of their fiscal responsibility, it can be misleading when looked at by itself. A low credit score can be attributed to many things: perhaps trying to buy a house just out of their price range or bad things like credit card debt.

It is best to look at their credit history with a context of their employment situation. If he or she has been working at their current job for more than six months and is making enough money to easily pay their rent and utilities, there may not be an issue. You can inquire about the details of their poor credit report if it seems overly concerning.

Deciding

In an ideal situation, you will have multiple candidates to choose from. The more options you have, the better your chances of finding the right match. Remember that you do not have to settle. If you have several people interested, but none of them meet your requirements, , don’t feel pressured to accept them for the sake of convenience. It’s better to spend more time listing your property and screening more applicants than to devote time to someone who potentially will devalue your property or cause unneeded stress with paying rent or other issues.

Hold out for someone who you think will be responsible. Someone whose history proves that they are equipped to handle paying rent each month, has a clean criminal record, and who comes with great references. As mentioned in the beginning of the article, a good tenant makes a good investment.

About the Author

Dusty Henry is an Editor at All Property Management, a company that matches rental property owners with property management companies in their areas. Search their extensive database at www.allpropertymanagement.com, and then get free quotes from property management companies near you.

City expands probe into corruption allegations at building agency

By David Zahniser and Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times
May 7, 2011
Los Angeles officials have significantly expanded their internal investigation into corruption allegations at the city’s building department, driven by fears of a much wider pattern of wrongdoing.

In the month since two inspectors were arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes, the Department of Building and Safety has received three subpoenas from a federal grand jury, including one seeking personnel records for at least 11 current and former employees.

Two department employees have been placed on leave over the last week, pending an investigation, officials confirm. Department managers would not say whether that move was connected to the probe. In addition, the city’s lawyers revealed that the department is the target of a lawsuit filed by a USC fraternity that claims it faced retaliation after refusing to pay bribes.

“Our investigation has expanded citywide,” said William Carter, chief deputy for City Atty. Carmen Trutanich. “We’re looking at all aspects of the inspection program.”

Carter said city officials originally thought the matter was limited to the two men arrested last month: inspectors Raoul Germain, 60, of Altadena and Hugo Gonzalez, 49, of Eagle Rock. Germain pleaded guilty on Thursday to accepting $6,000 in bribes between November and January.

Both men were put on leave in February after the department received an anonymous tip and were fired this week, city officials said.

Between August and January, Germain and Gonzalez were secretly recorded during an FBI sting operation that involved an undercover agent who posed as a contractor working in South Los Angeles.

A confidential informant told the FBI that bribes are a “systemic” problem at the department, and described giving not just cash but free labor, materials, and in one case, a vacation, according to court affidavits. Meanwhile, Gonzalez offered his own suggestion that other employees were involved, the affidavit said.

In one recorded exchange, Gonzalez told the undercover agent that he normally demanded $2,000 to sign off on a building permit. But because the construction project under discussion was on 97th Street, and outside of his territory, Gonzalez said he would need $2,500 so he could pay a “tribute” to the building inspector responsible for that address.

“We have been working like that for a long time,” the affidavit quotes Gonzalez as saying.

Gonzalez has pleaded not guilty but is considering changing that plea to guilty, said Jack Alex, his attorney. Gonzalez remains in custody and is considered by the presiding judge to be a flight risk because he owns a home and land in Mexico, Alex said.

Germain’s attorney, Steven M. Cron, said he did not expect that his client would help with the investigation of other suspects. Since the arrests, two Building and Safety officials — general manager Robert “Bud” Ovrom and department spokesman David Lara — have been called to testify before the grand jury. Federal prosecutors instructed Ovrom to turn over records on any disciplinary action or internal investigation involving Gonzalez, Germain and at least eight other current or former department employees

In his monthly newsletter to the public, Ovrom apologized to residents, the City Council and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for what he described as “alleged outrageous violations of the public trust.” And in an interview, Ovrom said his internal investigation has gone beyond South Los Angeles, where Germain and Gonzalez worked.

“I have been asked if [corruption] is systemic in the organization. I don’t believe it is,” he said. “But I do believe it is more than two employees. We definitely have more people under investigation.” The city employs roughly 315 inspectors.

Neither Carter nor Ovrom would provide the names of individuals mentioned in the subpoena, other than Germain and Gonzalez. They also would not identify the two employees placed on leave. Prosecutors with the U.S. attorney’s office declined to comment on the scale of their investigation.

The ongoing probe leaves open the possibility of lawsuits over the inspections handled by Germain and Gonzalez, who are accused of signing off on electrical work, foundations and fire systems — sometimes without showing up at the job sites. If more inspectors are implicated, more structures become vulnerable to challenge.

One lawsuit has already been filed by the Alpha Nu Assn. of Theta Xi, a USC fraternity on 28th Street. In documents filed in March, the group alleged that inspector Martin Hurtado held up approvals “any way he could” after his request for a “bribe” was rebuffed.

According to the suit, the Greek organization failed its plumbing inspection 20 times, each time with the same inspector.

“He requested unnecessary blueprints. He required the plumber to redo work that had been done correctly the first time. He would instruct the plumber to perform…tasks, then instruct the plumber to return the premises to the state they were before the task,” the lawsuit states.

Hurtado could not be reached for comment. He has not been identified in affidavits or mentioned as a target of any federal investigation. Lara said his agency had not reached any conclusions about the lawsuit.

“We’re rolling that into the ongoing investigation,” he said.

david.zahniser@latimes.com

abigail.sewell@latimes.com
Copyright © 2011, Los Angeles Times

Renters Insurance!

All of our leases require that tenants get a “Renters Insurance Policy”.  I found this worthy of sharing…..

From www.themoneyalert.com;

Renter’s insurance assures you that you’re protected against the damage or loss of personal property
when you rent an apartment or house. Your landlord may have insurance that protects the physical
building in which you reside, but this insurance will not cover your personal property. In fact, it’s not at all
uncommon for landlords to require the purchase of renters insurance prior to renting or leasing. This is
prudent for both the renter and the landlord, protecting both from the possibility of lawsuit by alleviating
each other’s respective liability.

In determining whether or not you need renters insurance, the questions you need to ask yourself are:
How much would it cost to replace my belongings if they were damaged or stolen? And can I afford to
replace them? Depending on your answer, renters insurance may be an easy choice, providing you with
the protection you need. Either way, it’s reassuring to have the peace of mind that comes from being
protected.

Things to consider before purchasing rental insurance:

How Much Coverage? – The amount of renters insurance you choose will have the biggest impact
on price of coverage. It is important to insure against all of your property. Remember, you’re not just
insuring against theft. In the case of a fire, for example, you could lose everything.

Deductible – The amount of the deductible premium that you’re willing to pay will have a major
impact on the premium costs. The higher the deductible, the lower the cost of home renters
insurance.

Actual Cash Value (ACV) – Type of coverage that will pay for what the item was actually worth at
the time of loss.  This basic coverage payout is determined by the cost to replace, minus
depreciation.

Replacement Cost – Type of coverage that will provide for the actual
replacement value of the item with no deduction for depreciation. Although
replacement cost coverage comes at an additional premium, it’s usually
worth the relatively small increase in cost.

Here are a few ways to save on renters insurance. Many insurers will offer
discounts, if you have some of the following:

• Monitored fire or burglar alarms
  
• Fire extinguishers
  
• Sprinkler systems
  
• Dead bolts on all exterior doors
  
• Auto insurance with that provider
  

If you own a dog, however, it may add to your premium. Due to liability issues,
some insurers won’t even offer insurance if certain dog breeds are owned. This
discrimination is exclusive to certain larger working dog breeds. It’s unfortunate
because many of these breeds are good-natured and provide a great deterrent
to theft. Yet, in the eye of the insurer, they’re a risk. The insurance companies
that do offer coverage for these breeds, will often do so at a premium.

Flood and Earthquake protection is not commonly included on rental insurance
policies. If you live in an area where these natural disasters are more common,
you may want to purchase an additional rider.

Liability coverage is most often a standard feature with renters insurance. This
can prove invaluable in case of an accident, such as a slip or fall by a guest. It
provides protection against legal claims that you may be obligated to pay, such
as injury, sickness and death. It is, however, limited to the amount of liability
coverage provided by your policy.

In order to avoid any disputes with your insurance company, it’s recommended that you take an inventory
of your personal items before purchasing rental insurance. This can be done by video taping or
photographing each room of your house. It is important to keep all receipts for any major purchases, as
well. The above should be kept offsite, in a fireproof safe or safety deposit box.

Fortunately, renters insurance is relatively inexpensive. If you’re looking for cheap renters insurance, it is
not uncommon to see policies with premiums that are less than $20 a month. And, thanks to the

Flood Insurance and Do I need it?

Flood insurance is a type of insurance that isn’t usually included in rental or home owners insurance. Many times when you rent or buy it is not included in basic insurance.

Most insurance companies offer flood insurance as an additional cost or protection. Some companies offer it to you without an additional cost, but you have to request to have the coverage added on.

Many people don’t understand why they need insurance think they don’t need it. The truth is everyone should have flood insurance regardless if they are renting, leasing or buying. At any time a down pour of rain or a storm could occur and cause damage to all of your furnishings inside your home. Even if you live near the mountains and don’t get much rain fall if a heat wave comes through it can melt the snow on the mountain and flood your home. There have also been many cases when a hurricane decides to turn and hit inland further than expected. You might think you are safe but at anytime the weather can change and you can get flooded.

Basic flood insurance covers up to $20,000 dollars in damage. You can upgrade to a higher amount for an extra cost. If you feel you have more than that in property in the home than it is a good idea to upgrade to a higher amount.

Relying just on federal aid won’t be enough neither. They are limited on what each family will get. They are also limited on the number of families or homes they can cover. They will only cover a certain amount, or just the ones that are out of a home completely.

Flood insurance is actually more affordable than many people think. The price will vary on your location, and age of your home. Different insurance companies will give you different quotes. Go with the one that offers the most with the best deal. Many times your home owners insurance company will give you a discount if you add on the flood insurance. In this case it is better to be safe than sorry, because once you get flooded it might be too late to add it on.

Please check with your insurance agent for specifics that relate to your situation.  All “figures” mentioned above are illustrations.