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