This was a hot topic in 2005 after Hurricane Rita. I made a post in the fall of 2005 on this topic and it died on the vine. This could be the next hot button in 2008 as thousands of people who live in low areas that could have sea water flooding are the first to pack the car and flee about 72-48 hours before expected landfall. I only know of one carrier that will reimburse the policy holder for reasonable expense. It seems their policy has language that covers some expenses under some conditions. I don,t think any of the HO policys (ISO) have any coverage unless direct "insured" damage takes place. I think thousands of law suits are just waiting to happen. In Texas I think the county judge has the authority from the state goverment to make the order to evacuate. Now I know a lot of people fly to Los Vegas for a week, but how about the family of 5 in one old automobile that had to sleep in road side parks and flea bag motels for 5 or 6 days to keep from drowning. This is an insurable risk and should be endorsed onto all the Homeowners Policy for an additional premium, if the great package policy of all times is looking out for the "average" homeowner. In 2005 all the highways leading away from the coast were clogged and people ran out of gas just North of Houston. For years I have heard a cat 4 hitting Galveston Bay would put salt water 25 feet deep at 1-45 and FM 518. Now read these headlines" thousands drowned on Texas coast on Texas Coast". Does this sound like a FEMA concern or an insurance industry concern, or both? |