FEMA encourages Minnesotans to get flood insurance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is encouraging Minnesota residents and businesses to buy flood insurance before it's too late.

Minnesota faces the threat of flooding statewide this year. FEMA points out there's a 30-day waiting period before a policy takes effect. Policies can be bought from insurance agents or direct from FEMA.

FEMA's regional administrator, Andrew Velasquez III, notes that standard homeowner's insurance does not cover flood losses.

Homes and businesses don't have to be in high-risk flood hazard areas to qualify. More than 20 percent of all claims come from floods that happened in low or moderate flood-risk areas.

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FEMA says the average flood insurance premium in Minnesota is about $663 a year, but costs can be much lower in lower risk areas.

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Online: FEMA flood insurance information: http://www.floodsmart.gov

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)