By Brandon Cervenka
Many people along the Emerald Coast are understandably unsure about flood insurance, and a big reason is the amount of misinformation and half-truths they’ve heard over the years. Friends, social media, and even outdated guidance can make it sound like only “high-risk” or beachfront homes need to worry, which leaves both homeowners and renters confused about their real exposure when the water rises.
This confusion has allowed several persistent myths to stick around—ideas like “I’m not in a flood zone,” “My home insurance covers flood,” or “FEMA will take care of everything if it’s bad enough.” In the sections that follow, we’ll walk through four of the most common myths one by one and share clear, practical facts so families in and around Freeport can make more confident decisions about protecting their homes and rentals.
Myth 1: “I’m not in a flood zone”
Every property is in a flood zone; the real question is whether it’s considered low, moderate, or high risk, not whether the risk exists at all. National data show that a significant share of flood claims—often cited around 20–40 percent—come from properties outside the highest-risk FEMA zones, which surprises many owners who thought they were “safe.” Even homes set back from the Gulf or on slightly higher ground can flood from heavy rain, overburdened drainage systems, or water backing up into streets and yards.
Myth 2: “My home or renters insurance covers flood”
Standard homeowners and renters policies typically do not cover damage from rising water, including storm surge, overflowing creeks, or water that enters at ground level. To have protection for this type of damage, you generally need a separate flood insurance policy, often available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private carrier. Many people only discover this gap after a tropical system or severe storm when they file a claim and learn that flood damage is excluded.
Myth 3: “I’m a renter, so I don’t need flood insurance”
Your landlord may carry flood insurance on the building itself, but that does not extend to your personal belongings inside the unit. Furniture, electronics, clothing, and other valuables are your responsibility, and without a separate contents-only flood policy, you could be paying out of pocket to replace them after a flood.
Myth 4: “If it’s really bad, FEMA will pay for everything”
Federal disaster assistance is not a guaranteed, full-coverage solution and is only available when a major disaster is officially declared. Even then, help often comes in the form of low-interest loans that must be repaid, and average grants for individuals are typically much smaller than what many families need to rebuild.
If you find yourself falling into one of these myth categories, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Whether you own a house or condo or are renting near the coast, my local agency (850-622-0448) can walk you through your true flood risk, review what your current policies do and don’t cover, and help you decide whether a separate flood policy makes sense for your family.
