A Message from Dan Goodrich:
Every summer, my family heads down to Avon in the Outer Banks. It’s not a fancy resort—just a quiet, familiar place where we slow down and soak up time together. We’ve been doing it for years. Same house, same week, same traditions.
We always bring our own food. That’s part of the fun. The first night it’s subs—always. The leftovers become sandy beach snacks for the next few days. Then, it’s shrimp & grits. When we used to vacation with my mother, she’d make a big pot of soup that sat on the stove all day, ready for anyone coming in from the beach. Some people think we’re strange for enjoying soup in the dead of summer, but to the Goodriches, soup is best served in any season. Other traditions include tie-dyeing t-shirts in the backyard and hanging them from the deck railing to dry. At night, it’s board games until way too late. Even the quietest among us gets competitive. Our favorites are Rummikub, Uno, and a card game my three kids affectionately call “BS.” These are the days that fill your cup.
But each year, we notice a little more change. We invite new friends. We look a little older. The landscape shifts. This past summer, we drove through Rodanthe and saw a whole row of houses, abandoned. Some already leaning. A few right at the edge of the water, just waiting for the next storm to carry them away. Since 2020, eleven houses have collapsed into the ocean. It was hard to see. These places were people’s homes or maybe their family’s version of what Avon means to us.
Read: Is Flood Insurance Required in Virginia?
It was a reminder of how quickly things can change on the coast, and how vulnerable homes can be, even ones that were perfectly safe just a few years ago. The truth is, storms are getting worse. We’ve all seen it. Hurricanes are stronger, wetter, and more frequent than they used to be. Every year, I talk to folks who think flood insurance isn’t something they need—until they wish they had it. Or those who think self-insuring their home is the way to go. And it’s not just a beach problem anymore. Inland flooding is on the rise, and most standard home insurance policies don’t cover it.
I’m not saying this to scare you—just sharing what I’ve seen. As a dad and an insurance advisor, I care about protecting what matters. If you’re unsure what your home policy covers or whether flood insurance makes sense for you, let’s talk before the next storm hits.
Contact us today to discuss your insurance needs! We’re happy to help with whatever you may need.
Cheers,
Dan Goodrich
