These are high-risk zones, often referred to as "100-year floodplains," labeled as Zone A or Zone V on FEMA flood maps.

To determine if you are officially in a high-risk zone, you can visit the online and enter your address. If the map shows your property in a zone starting with "A" or "V," prepare for a requirement from your lender.

Your typical homeowners insurance policy almost never covers damage caused by rising surface water or storm surges.

Approximately 25% of all flood insurance claims come from properties outside of high-risk flood zones.

This includes loans from lenders regulated or insured by the federal government (such as FHA, VA, or Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac loans).

Even if your loan isn't federally backed, many require flood insurance for properties in high-risk zones to protect their collateral. Additionally, some lenders are now requiring coverage for homes in moderate-to-low risk zones if they feel the local geography poses a significant threat. 3. Requirements for Federal Disaster Assistance

Many homeowners assume that if they aren't in a high-risk zone, they don't need coverage. However, the data suggests otherwise: