COLUMBIA, MO. -- Missouri Department of Insurance officials said homeowners and business owners should think about buying flood insurance as large amounts of snowfall begin to melt.
Department Director John Huff recommends buying coverage now because policies don't take effect until 30 days after they are purchased.
ServiceMaster of Columbia handles dozens of flood clean-up projects every spring.
Company Marketing Director Rachael Bax said most homeowner policies don't cover flood damage.
Bax said, “With snow melting, actually you don’t have to be in a flood plain in any way for your basement to get flooded from a crack in your basement or a window.”
People must buy flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.
More than 25,000 homes and businesses in the state are insured for floods.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKRCG