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Homeowners insurance doesn't cover all natural disasters
Posted: 05.02.2012 at 4:57 PM
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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- For Wednesday's Facebook Story of the Day; KTVO's Facebook fans wanted to know more about homeowners insurance, and what items are not covered under normal policies

Some states, like California, require earthquake insurance, but Iowa and Missouri do not. However, you can still add those types of insurance to your policy even through it is not required.

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KTVO spoke with Tom Shafer of Farmers Insurance in Ottumwa.

"In the Midwest area, we are not as susceptible, but we still have the thought that we can have an earthquake here; so that is something people have an option of putting on their policy or not," said Shafer.

When it comes to flood insurance however, things are a little more complicated.

"Flood insurance can be mandated by a bank because you live close to a river, pond or lake. They want you to have that coverage. But in most cases it is optional coverage to have," said Shafer.

Shafer says that purchasing these types of coverage would be separate from your original homeowners insurance.

"What you have to have is an endorsement or maybe a separate policy. Things like flood insurance, which is completely  separate policy, which comes through FEMA. Then if you want to add coverage like earthquake, that is a separate coverage or endorsement. It will have it's own deductable. It won't be the deductible of the policy. It will usually be a percentage of the home," said Shafer.

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