Every hurricane season, someone calls an agent a few days before a storm hoping to buy flood insurance. By then it is usually too late. Most new flood policies don't start the day you buy them. They come with a waiting period, and for a federal flood policy that wait is typically 30 days.
How the 30-day wait works
Most homes in Fernandina Beach and on Amelia Island that carry flood insurance have a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). When you buy a new NFIP policy, coverage generally begins 30 days after the application and payment are received. If water comes in before that date, the new policy won't pay for it.
The wait exists so people can't buy coverage only when a storm is already on the way. It applies even if the sky is clear when you sign up, so the right time to buy flood insurance is well before you think you'll need it.
When the wait is shorter or doesn't apply
- Buying or refinancing a home. When flood insurance is required as part of a new loan, a refinance or a loan increase, coverage can start at closing instead of 30 days later.
- Flood map changes. If FEMA remaps your property into a high-risk flood zone, a policy bought within a set window after the map change may have a much shorter wait.
- Private flood insurance. Private flood companies set their own rules. Many have shorter waiting periods than the NFIP, and some offer higher coverage limits. It is worth comparing both.
- Renewals. Renewing an existing policy on time doesn't start a new wait. Letting a policy lapse can.
Why this matters in Nassau County
Standard homeowners and condo policies do not cover flood damage, and you don't need to live on the beach to flood. Storm surge, heavy rain and rising water from the Amelia River and the marshes can reach homes well inland. Many lenders require flood insurance in high-risk zones, and Citizens Property Insurance has been phasing in a requirement for its policyholders to carry flood coverage as well. Our article on the Citizens flood insurance requirement explains who it applies to.
Don't let it lapse
If you already have flood insurance, keep an eye on the renewal date. A missed payment can end the policy, and starting over can mean a new waiting period at the worst possible time. Setting up automatic payment or escrowing the premium with your mortgage helps prevent that.
Get flood coverage in place now
Hurricane season ends November 30, but flooding can happen any time of year. Southend Insurance compares NFIP and private flood options for homes and condos in Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Yulee and the rest of Nassau County. Learn more on our flood insurance page, call (904) 807-4554 or request a quote online.
This article is general information, not a substitute for your policy documents. Waiting periods, exceptions and eligibility depend on the policy and the insurance company.