How Big is Your Umbrella?

We are in the peak of Hurricane season here in central Pennsylvania. While the Atlantic Basin’s hurricane season does stretch from June to November, the peak months are considered mid-August through October. Here at Deibler, Straub & Troutman Insurance, we want to make sure your umbrella is big enough to cover your home and belongings.

The Clouds Are Rolling In

With the recent passing of Hurricane Dorian through the Bahamas and up the Atlantic Coast (with possibly more storms on their way), it’s important to remember the damaging effects that hurricanes and other severe weather can have on you and your property. Not only can they cause torrential downpours and severe flooding but wind damage, power outages, and even tornadoes are a few other possible side effects that could be stirred up.

Here in central PA, we sit just close enough to the coast to be reached by storms formed in the Atlantic Basin, which includes the entire Atlantic Ocean from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Unfortunately, being located just in the Basin’s reach does allow us to feel the impact of hurricanes and other storms that have formed in the waters of the Atlantic that then make their way to the coast. Thankfully, by the time these tropical storms get inland to us most of them will have drastically reduced in power, dropping from hurricane status to a tropical storm. Even so, property damage is still possible and in fact very real.

An Overlooked Fact

One of the most important overlooked facts of your standard home insurance and renters’ insurance policies is that it does not cover flood damage. Flood damage is not covered because the flooding originated from a source outside of the home. On the contrary, any water damage originating from inside the house will be covered. Additionally, home insurance policies will cover damage caused by extreme winds and hail. One perk is that typically insurance policies will cover additional living expenses after a disaster including any expenses incurred while living away from the home during repairs.

Flood Insurance

The federal government is who is in charge of issuing flood insurance policies through their National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Even though they determine flood insurance coverage and premiums, you’re still able to purchase your flood insurance through our agency. It doesn’t matter what type of home insurance policy you have flood insurance is still a great investment. Deibler, Straub & Troutman Insurance would be your best choice when thinking about flood insurance. We offer different features and benefits to help you make the right decision! We offer 24/7 nationwide claims support and assistance. We have dedicated agents who can help you understand your flood coverage and we can assist you in finding discounts to help maximize savings. We also don’t require you to have an existing policy with us.

Having a basic understanding of your flood risk and what flood insurance would typically protect can help you make the best decision for coverage. Knowing some common facts about flooding can really help too. For example, the average flood loss claim is $38,000. Also, nearly 25% of all flood insurance claims come from areas that are not considered high risk flood areas. There may be a waiting period before your insurance will go into effect which is typically 30 days. This may not be true if flood insurance is required to sign your mortgage; then your signing date may become your effective day. Finally, having flood insurance can help protect you even if a federal disaster isn’t declared.


When it comes to home insurance coverage, Deibler, Straub & Troutman Insurance is your number one place to look for a home insurance policy and/or flood insurance policy. Happily serving Elizabethville, Halifax, Millersburg, Upper Dauphin, Line Mountain, and more! Give us a call or get a quote online. We have a pretty big umbrella, and we invite you to stand under it with us. Stay dry!