Why does my policy have more than one deductible?

A policy commonly carries a flat deductible for most claims and a separate percentage-based wind and hail deductible in storm-exposed states like Georgia.

Does my own insurance cover me when I stay in an Airbnb or VRBO?

The host's short-term rental policy protects the host, not you. As an Airbnb or VRBO guest, your own homeowners or renters insurance usually covers your belongings and personal liability away from home, within policy limits, while travel insurance covers trip-specific risks neither the host nor your home policy will.

Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?

No. Standard homeowners policies exclude all flood damage regardless of cause.

What does uninsured motorist coverage do?

If you are hit by a driver with no insurance or not enough insurance, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills.

When do we use Selective for flood coverage versus NFIP?

Selective private flood wins for Zone X and moderate AE properties where it beats NFIP on price and offers higher limits with ALE coverage.

Does NFIP or private flood cover more in Georgia?

All FAQs

Quick answer: NFIP caps residential building coverage at $250,000 and settles contents at actual cash value. Private flood through carriers like Selective can exceed that cap and add displacement coverage NFIP does not include. NFIP often costs less on high-risk coastal homes because of federal subsidies. Both are available through Olive Cover.

NFIP and private flood insurance cover different amounts in Georgia. NFIP caps residential building coverage at $250,000 and settles contents (personal belongings) claims at actual cash value, meaning depreciation is subtracted from the replacement cost before the claim is paid. Private flood insurance, through carriers like Selective, can exceed that $250,000 building cap and can add coverage NFIP does not include, such as displacement costs: payment for temporary housing while a home is being repaired after a flood.

Actual cash value is the amount an item is worth right now, after subtracting wear and depreciation from what it would cost to replace new. For example, an NFIP claim on a five-year-old sofa damaged by flooding pays out the depreciated value of that sofa, not the price of an identical new one. A full explanation of that calculation is on the actual cash value glossary page.

The $250,000 NFIP building cap matters most on higher-value homes. A home that would cost $450,000 to rebuild after a total flood loss has a $200,000 gap between the NFIP payout and the rebuild cost if the only coverage in place is a standard NFIP policy. Private flood coverage, where available, can be written at a higher limit that closes that gap.

Cost runs the other direction on many coastal properties. Because NFIP premiums are set through a federal program that includes subsidies for some high-risk coastal homes, NFIP can cost less than a comparable private flood policy on a coastal Georgia property, even though the private policy may offer a higher limit and broader coverage. Which program costs less and covers more depends on the specific property, its rebuild value, its flood zone, and its distance to water.

Both NFIP and private flood insurance, including policies through Selective, are available through Olive Cover, and both can be quoted side by side for the same address. Premium ranges for NFIP policies in Georgia are covered in How much does flood insurance cost in Georgia? Claim timelines and rights differ by program too, covered in What are my rights on a Georgia flood claim? General flood coverage mechanics are on the flood insurance page, and the carriers writing flood policies in Georgia are listed on the carriers page. A coverage review can compare an NFIP quote against a private flood quote for a specific home: start a coverage review.