Volusia County property owners can now buy flood insurance online

Volusia County property owners can now get a flood insurance quote and buy a policy online without going through an insurance agent, according to county officials.FEMA launched the service on Tuesday, Oct. 20, allowing residents to purchase National Flood Insurance Program coverage entirely online. Working with an agent remains an option.Residents can enter basic information about their building to get a free quote in less than 10 minutes, according to FEMA’s website. Personal information is not collected until they choose to purchase a policy through NFIP Direct.County officials say the service is available nationwide in communities that participate in the federal flood insurance program.What homeowners should knowStandard homeowners’ insurance generally does not cover flooding, county officials said. Damage from rising water typically requires a separate flood insurance policy.Most flood policies also have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins, so buying one as a hurricane o