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The winter months aren't necessarily when most homeowners are concerned about the effects of heavy rains, but nonetheless, experts say that this is generally a good time for them to review their home insurance policies. That's because it's often a good idea to add flood insurance coverage before snow starts to melt and creates lots of standing and even running water in many parts of the country - and well in advance of the heavy rains that can accompany the arrival of spring. For these reasons, home insurance agents may need to do a little more outreach to their clients to help them understand the risks they face, and what they can do to reduce them.

The general rule of thumb for people who need flood insurance is that if you think your home is or ever has been at risk for being flooded, it's probably a good idea to invest in that type of coverage, according to a report from NASDAQ. However, a large percentage of people who are considered to fall into that category often don't bother to invest in that type of coverage, usually because of what it costs above and beyond their normal insurance rates.

Why is this a problem?
However, experts caution that going without could put a considerable financial risk on anyone who lives in an area where flooding could be a problem, the report said. That's because many may assume that their normal insurance will cover such damage, but this is typically an incorrect assumption. That has led many Americans to face significant financial concerns because they did not fully understand their plans and the risks they ran by not taking on the added coverage.

Insurance agents might be able to help themselves and their clients simultaneously by making greater efforts to help consumers understand what their current plans do and don't cover, and what they can do to improve their situations. That should include not only helping them reduce costs for plans they already have, but also walking them through what changes to their coverage will look like for them going forward. The more that can be done in this area, the better off clients are likely to be, because that will both improve how they feel about their customer service, and simultaneously put them in a better position if they do need to file a claim.

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