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Discover the heartbeat of Juneau's cultural and community landscape with 'Capital Chat.' This series explores the vibrant world of the community, arts, and dynamic cultural and social events happening in Alaska's Capital City. Tune in to 'Capital Chat' for your essential guide to the pulse of our community, where every story is an adventure and every voice matters.
K I n y Juno. Cliff Dumbus here. Good morning. You know, it's a conversation we don't like to have at this time of the year, but we all need to have it, and that is preparedness for the, glacial outburst flood that we anticipate, of course, every year. And part of that preparedness is to make sure that you're insured properly, and that's why I've asked Robin Lowness from Robin Lowness State Farm to come in this morning.
Speaker 1:Robin, good morning.
Speaker 2:Good morning, Cliff.
Speaker 1:So I I wish this wasn't the kind of conversation we have to have every year, but I think it's a great reminder. And, with insurance and the pending glacial outburst flood that we're gonna experience this year, what do folks have to know?
Speaker 2:Yeah. Thanks. Every August, Juneau families experience flooding, and I take those claims. I truly do care about the people that have lost their homes and their contents to these floods and this glacier outburst. What I hear most from people is that they don't realize that their home insurance covers the flood, or that there's a waiting period that they have to do there's a process in order to get the flood coverage.
Speaker 2:We don't know what happens with the river, the rainfall, any of that until it's over. So you cannot wait, to get your coverage. You need to get it and we need to talk about it now before this happens in August.
Speaker 1:Right. And thank you. That's the the reason I wanted you to come in today to talk about this because there's huge misconception, and we've talked about this before, that folks are thinking, I I it's too late. I I can't get flood insurance now with this thing pending, or I can't get it at all because it it's a recurring event. That's both of those are not true.
Speaker 1:Right?
Speaker 2:Yes. I think there are a lot of misconceptions out there about flood and around the flood. We have experienced it every August. The big key factor is there is a thirty day waiting period. So we need to be getting your insurance in place now by July, the beginning of July.
Speaker 2:We never know when that's gonna hit. Where the timing is pretty accurate from the flood people. They can tell us and we kinda patiently wait, but that thirty day waiting period is the key focus. We need to get it in place. Your policy doesn't start for thirty days after we write
Speaker 1:it. Okay. So waiting is a liability?
Speaker 2:Exactly. So
Speaker 1:let's walk through some of the misconceptions then. One is my homeowner's insurance is enough. You mentioned that, just a moment ago, but I think that's really important to to to kind of, circle back on. Oh my god. I can't believe I'm using the term circle back.
Speaker 1:But but the, I I think the con misconception is that and I I thought about this too. I said, I have a homeowner's insurance. Of course, that's gonna cover me, and that's not the case. Right?
Speaker 2:No. There are a few perils in your policies that are separate. Earthquake is one of them. Flood insurance is one or flood is one of them. Those are separate policies, and they are not covered by your normal home policy.
Speaker 2:So we need to be talking about a separate coverage to get the flood in there.
Speaker 1:What about I'm not in a flood zone?
Speaker 2:Okay. This is one of the biggest misconceptions out there. So because CBJ, actually, our city is, they participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. Every property is mapped by FEMA. Every property in our city is in a flood zone.
Speaker 2:We have a a a zone for that. Now, if your zone whatever your zone is, I don't wanna get into those Mhmm. Specific terminal. But whatever your zone is, we'll dictate the premium based on the risk, how close you are to the water, how high you are above the water. So but all properties in Juneau are in a flood zone.
Speaker 2:And actually, just a little side note, I actually had some claims this spring for the snow melt off.
Speaker 1:Not Oh. Surprised.
Speaker 2:Have anything to do with the river or the outburst, but there are multiple reasons why you would, need flood insurance, and it's not just one.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And that's two winters in a row. We had a substantial amount of snow that we had to worry about our our our roofs and and all of that. Right? A lot of damage this year too.
Speaker 2:Yep. The water water is the trickiest.
Speaker 1:Okay. So, when it comes to what somebody listening today should be doing is check their homeowner's policy and, look for flood insurance if they don't remember. But, more importantly, get flood insurance today, this week. Don't wait. Right?
Speaker 2:Don't wait. Yes. I would encourage everybody, if you have thought about it, if you are in Juneau, the the process is now. We need you need to talk to your agent. Most all companies here have the ability to write through the National Flood Insurance Program.
Speaker 2:So contact your agent, go over the rates, go over the policy, go over your home, get the coverage now.
Speaker 1:I'm just looking at some of the numbers from last year. This actually goes back a couple of years, but there was, $6,000,000 in housing and other need assistance that were made. So, for folks going, okay. Well, I'll I'll wait and see what happens, and I can apply to the grant program.
Speaker 2:Yeah. That is, I mean, I am an insurance agent. I believe in insurance. But insurance is much different than grants. There's a process to the grants.
Speaker 2:There's a lot of documentation. You must file a claim on your home to get a denial letter. It's just a long drawn out process and it is not anywhere in the realm of what it cost to actually get your home fixed or your contents. There's very limited coverage, and there's just a small pocket of money. So we say insurance is preparation, grants are recovery.
Speaker 1:Okay. So because, you know, we've experienced this over and over again, maybe the reason folks haven't looked into flood insurance is because they figure, oh, it's gotta be a fortune. Then if if we anticipate it to happen, it has happened over and over again. How can I possibly get it? Which you can.
Speaker 1:But what are we talking about when you come to a basic basic home in the valley that needs insurance?
Speaker 2:Yeah. I would say most of them are under $400 a year. The typical coverage is, 250,000 for the house. It's not meant to rebuild homes. It's meant to cover that bottom level closest to the ground.
Speaker 2:And your contents, they give coverage for contents as well. But the average homes that we're seeing out here in the valley, even up next to the river are under $400 a year.
Speaker 1:Wow.
Speaker 2:Commercial is a little bit different, but the average typical single family home, it is very affordable. It is readily available as well. It is very easy to get. We have new programs. It you know, under a couple minutes, we can have the policy set up.
Speaker 1:Now you mentioned, all the insurance agents can, of course, write these policies. If folks wanna reach out to Robin Lonis at Robin Lonis State Farm, what do we need to do?
Speaker 2:Just give me a call. My office is here in the Minden Hall Mall, and my phone number is (907) 463-4467.
Speaker 1:Let's hope we don't have to use it.
Speaker 2:I agree.
Speaker 1:Thanks for coming in this morning.
Speaker 2:Thanks for having me.