
By Diana Dodd, REALTOR® | ERA American Suncoast Realty
During the week, I hear many questions from buyers moving to Citrus County. One of the most common is:
Do I need flood insurance?
The answer depends on the property.
Some homes are in flood zones where a lender may require flood insurance. Other homes are not. Because every property is different, buyers should never assume flood insurance will or will not be required.
Many people are surprised to learn that homeowners insurance and flood insurance are usually separate policies. For that reason, it is important to understand the property’s location and insurance requirements before making an offer.
Why Flood Zones Matter
Flood zones help lenders determine whether flood insurance may be required.
However, a flood zone does not automatically mean a property floods. Likewise, a home outside a high-risk flood zone does not guarantee flooding can never occur.
Instead, buyers should review flood zone information carefully and ask questions early in the process.
You can learn more about flood zones here:
Check Before You Buy
Before purchasing a home, I recommend checking:
• The flood zone
• Insurance requirements
• Estimated insurance costs
• Elevation certificates, if available
In addition, buyers can verify flood zone information through FEMA:
https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home
Taking a few minutes to review this information now can help avoid surprises later.
Final Thoughts
Flood insurance is an important topic for buyers moving to Citrus County.
Some homes require flood insurance. Others do not.
That is why it is important to understand the requirements before buying a home.
If you’re considering a move to Citrus County and have questions about flood zones, insurance requirements, or specific neighborhoods, I’d be happy to help point you in the right direction.