Colorado's Division of Insurance is urging property owners to purchase flood insurance as significant rainfall is forecast for multiple Colorado counties over the next several days. The agency is directing them to a new tool from FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program that lets customers purchase policies entirely online at Floodsmart.gov.
Several of the affected counties have burn scars from summer wildfires. The agency said fires remove vegetation that normally absorbs rainfall and runoff, increasing the threat of flooding and mudflow below burned areas. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so property owners must purchase separate flood insurance to be protected.
Flood insurance policies typically have a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. The Division of Insurance acknowledged that exceptions to the waiting period are sometimes possible, but cautioned that property owners should not rely on exemptions and should purchase coverage as soon as possible. Customers can reach the NFIP at 800-427-4661 or visit Floodsmart.gov to obtain a policy.