Maybe it is time to build that beach house you’ve always wanted? It’s going to cost a pretty penny, since oceanfront property is not cheap. You’ll want to protect all you put into this special residence. 

Beach houses can usually withstand a lot of battering from the elements. Since they’re close to water, they’ll likely need protection from water damage and flooding. When building homes, owners should incorporate flood prevention construction into their blueprints. Furthermore, they must invest in flood insurance as a necessary precaution.

Insuring Your Beach House

Carrying homeowner’s insurance is often a rule to get the loan to build in the first place. It's a valuable form of property protection. It can help repair or even replace the home or belongings if they get damaged by a variety of disasters or mishaps. But, the thing about homeowner’s insurance is that is usually does not cover flood damage.

This fact might baffle some beach house owners. Given the proximity to water, most owners know that flooding is a very real risk to their properties. They likely want insurance in case an unavoidable flood damages the home. Usually, they can find protection against water damage by enrolling in flood insurance. It is a more targeted amount of protection for flood risks. Coverage might protect against rain, swells, storm surge and other damage.

In some cases, if you live in a high-risk flood zone, the law might require you to get this coverage. Therefore, don’t delay seeking it out. Explain to your agent that this is a beach house. They might need to make special adjustments to cover the unique risks of this type of property.

Building Your Home With Flood Protection

Even if you get flood insurance, there are steps you can take to prevent flooding in your beach house. Often, preventive measures can help you reduce property damage should floods occur.

• Consider using elevated construction when you build. Some homeowners build homes on stilts or place wash zones under the home. In some cases, you might, by law, have to use these construction mechanisms.
• Place artificial dams, moats or walls around the homes. These might stem the tide of rising water.
• Using waterproofing in the construction might prevent water from seeping into the interior.

Talk to your flood insurance agent at 410-312-7800 and your contractor about the coverage you need. With the right guidance, they can help you settle on the coverage and construction that are the best for you.

Also read: Insuring and Protecting High Value Personal Property