When Do Queens NY Home Owners Need Flood Insurance?

Applause roared from inside of the Colden Auditorium at Queens College during Richmond Hill High School graduation 2017.

Jay Sobhraj, Executive Vice-President of Zara Realty, just announced the names of two RHHS graduates who will be receiving a scholarship to study computer science at the college of their dreams.

Estrella Perez will be studying at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and Malik Assad will be studying at the New York Institute of Technology.

"We are so grateful to Zara for this opportunity," said Perez, who is passionate about computer science. "I will not let you down Mr. Sobhraj," Assad proclaimed, as photos were being taken of the two.

The relationship between Richmond Hill High School and Zara Realty began last year when Zara Realty donated a $125,000 computer lab to the school. The computer lab has been used by a plethora of students for everything from curriculum to extracurriculars.

“This is a model for building real community between the school and the private community,” Principal Neil Ganesh said. “We have future leaders in our program and we’re really excited about this new resource for us.”

Recently, Sobhraj and information technology specialist Naresh Singh returned to the school recently to see how the “seed turned into a plant with burgeoning fruit.” Not only have students been able to focus on their passion of computer science, but there has been a trickle down effect into the school’s robotics program.

They found that the computer lab helped Perez, Assad, and the rest of the robotics team focus on enhancing their computer science knowledge, engineering skills, and form a serious direction for their robotics team, Qubit. In just one year, the team has been able to achieve incredible success which includes building their own robot.

Sobhraj and Singh were so impressed with the focus and determination of the these RHHS students, that they decided to announce the plan to award two computer science college scholarships right then and there.

“I really want to give back,” said Jay Sobhraj. “Never forget where you come from and always give back to the community... that's what Zara is focused on.”

Richmond Hill High School offers several pathways, which include computer science and IT, art, criminology and forensics, business and engineering. As a supporter of computer science and IT, Zara Realty plans to grant one or two students with this opportunity each year.

"We are grateful to Mr. Sobhraj and Zara Realty for being an active community partner with their vision set on making a long term change," said RHHS Assistant Principal, Paul Wilbur.

Zara Luxury Homes, the innovative real estate holding company, provides quality homes in both Queens and Long Island. They have been serving the rental community for 36 years. Visit theirwebsite or call them at 718-291-3331 to inquire about their rental properties in Jamaica, Queens and Long Island.

By Philip Maltighati, CEO
United Public Adjusters & Appraisers

You are not imagining it, severe weather patterns bringing driving rain and deluges have increased in our region. The result is often flash flooding, which has caused widespread damage to Queens, NY homes and commercial properties. Should your property be inundated by floodwaters, you’ll want to know if your homeowners policy includes flood coverage, at which point you would need to prepare a flood damage claim submission or basement flood insurance claim. However, most policies do not cover flood damage. Therefore, purchasing separate flood insurance is highly recommended—and sometimes required. Here are the specifics:

Situations When Flood Insurance Is Required or Strongly Advised:

Federally designated flood zones (Special Flood Hazard Areas – SFHAs)

If your home is in a FEMA-designated floodplain (zones starting with A or V) and you have a government-backed mortgage, flood insurance is mandatory. (Note: a floodplain is a flat area of land next to a river or stream that experiences flooding during periods of high water flow.)

Mortgage Lender Requirements

Even if your property is not in a high-risk flood zone, your mortgage lender might still require you to carry flood insurance as a condition of your loan, particularly in areas with some flood risk. You should check with your lender to determine their specific requirements.

Past Federal Disaster Aid

If your property has previously received federal disaster assistance, you must carry flood insurance to qualify for future help, even if you’re not the same owner, so it’s important to be aware of the property’s history.

NFIP Community Participation

If your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you are eligible to purchase flood insurance, regardless of your flood zone designation.

General Flood Risk Management

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States, and even low-risk areas can experience significant flooding. Flood damage is generally not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies. Purchasing flood insurance is a sensible way to protect your home and belongings from potential flood damage.

Additional Guidance

Use the FEMA Flood Map Service Center to check your flood risk. For claim preparation or policy review, United Public Adjusters & Appraisers can help you navigate your coverage, documentation, and negotiations.

Summary

While flood insurance may not be a legal requirement for all homeowners in Queens, NY, it is crucial for properties in high-risk flood zones with government-backed mortgages, and it is a prudent measure to protect your investment even in areas with lower flood risk. Should you need to prepare a flood damage claim submission or basement flood insurance claim, we advise you to consult with United Public Adjusters & Appraisers’ experts. We can provide the guidance required to document and submit a complete claim. Our team will take the reins and oversee your entire claims process, even negotiate with your carrier, to bring about an optimal settlement offer. Learn more by contacting us today.

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About United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc.

United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. is a nationally licensed public adjusting firm serving over 25 states with a focus on complex, high-value property insurance claims.

With established offices in New York City and Long Island, our deep bench of adjusters, estimators, engineers, and advocates is built to support large-loss commercial, multi-family, and institutional clients.

We work exclusively on behalf of policyholders -never the insurance companies- to secure proper documentation, defend coverage, and recover what’s rightfully owed to you after disaster strikes.

Offices in NYC & Long Island | Serving Policyholders in Over 25 States

Call: 800-718-5677

Visit: www.unitedpublicadjusters.com