FOWARD INFORMATION TO ALL VISALIA RESIDENTS
The new FEMA flood map goes into force on June 16, 2009 and the homes that will be entering the new flood requirement have until June 15th to get a preferred policy at the reduced rate. If people wait until the 15th, they may find that they may not be able to make an appointment with an agent due to the influx of demand so waiting until the last minute is NOT recommended.
The payment must be in receipt of the flood insurance firm in order to capture the preferred rate so the payment of check or money order will have to be mailed overnight before the 15th OR payment can be made with many carriers by credit card.
If the homeowner does purchase a preferred policy, this allows them to hold on to their preferred zone, even as the flood policy renews next year in the regular program. This becomes especially important for any homes built before 7-5-1984 because if you wait until after June 16th, there will be no chance to qualify for a lower rating going forward.
The cost for the maximum coverage for $250,000 coverage on a preferred policy is $348 a year. If a homeowner waits until AFTER June 16th and is forced to purchase coverage...the cost will be more than double and if the homeowner does not purchase coverage, the lender has the authority to add the flood coverage to the loan and they will force coverage and just add the cost to your loan balance.
All lenders who have FDIC backing are required to demand flood insurance on any mortgages for properties in a flood designated area. They do not have discretion regarding the criteria and the coverage must be equal to the replacement cost of the home....NOT the loan balance.
Homeowners who are not sure if they will be in the new flood zone can consult the FEMA maps online or use the address look-up tool that the city has provided at
204.155.47.66:8080 /femaalu/Default.aspx
Contact Our Chamber Members for your Flood Insurance
AAA Insurance
Ignacio Molina
780 N. Irwin Street
Hanford, CA 93230-
(559) 584-4632
Glenn Black Insurance Services
Maria Quinones
208 W. Main Street,Suite 4
Visalia CA 93291-
(559) 627-3737
State Farm Insurance Agency
Brad Board
527 S. Pinkham, Suite #A
Visalia, CA 93292
(559) 739-2280
Beatriz Valle Insurance
Beatriz Valle
648 N. Farmersville Farmersville, CA 93223
(559)747-0745
Korsgaden/Jansma Farmers Insurance Agency
Beth Bruegman
1700 W. Walnut Ave., Suite A
Visalia, CA 93277-
(559) 625-4926
Tom Wright Insurance Agency
Tom Wright
837 N. Main St.
Porterville, CA 93257-
(559) 781-7922
Buckman Mitchell Inc.
Janet McClintock
P. O. Box 629
Visalia, CA 93279-
559) 635-3511
M. Fernandez Ins. Agency
Mike Fernandes
200 North M. Street
Tulare, CA 93274-
(559) 686-3219
United Valley Insurance
Melinda Chavez
6034 W. Oak
Visalia,CA 93291-
(559) 735-0553
Chavez Insurance Services
Mark Chavez
1830 W. Caldwell, Suite G
Visalia, CA 93277-
(559) 739-2900
Nationwide Insurance
Julia Gutierez
1441 S. Mooney Blvd.,Suite D
Visalia, CA 93277- (559) 635-3073
Waite Insurance Agency
Bill Waite
740 E. Tulare Tulare, CA 93275 (559)366-7572