Flood Insurance Debate

Regarding the article headlined “Immerse Yourself in This Primer on Flood Insurance,” by Marci Geffner (May 10), while anyone at risk should buy flood insurance, no lender--including FHA, VA or Fannie Mae--can force a homeowner to have this coverage unless the terms of the original loan specify it. Retroactive mandates are not enforceable.

There is a specific requirement in the terms of my loan that I carry fire insurance, but neither flood nor earthquake coverage is mentioned. I do carry fire insurance, but I have never had flood insurance and I don’t intend to buy it. My lender cannot make me buy it because it is not even mentioned in my deed of trust or loan note.

DAVID E. ROSS

Via e-mail

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There is a bit of “fine print” that causes many problems when claims are submitted for “surface water” damage, on the assumption that surface water is a flood.

Unfortunately, too many policyholders then find out that if the flood was confined to their own premises, then it wasn’t a flood, unless the water covered an area of two acres on their premises.

In other words, if your premises was the only premises affected by a flood, then it wasn’t a flood and hence, not covered by your flood policy! The damage is also not covered by almost all homeowners policies.

EDWARD A. ENGLISH

Elkins Jones Insurance Agency

Los Angeles