Regardless of where you live, there’s at least some risk of flooding. And one of your main priorities as a homeowner is to keep your home and other property safe from numerous disasters, including those stemming from nature. Unfortunately, your homeowners insurance will not cover the cost of flood damage. 

That’s why having the right flood insurance is crucial for maintaining your sense of security within your own home. But flood insurance is also important for businesses, because business insurance does not cover flood damage, either. Independent insurance agents are here to eliminate the hassle of searching on your own by walking you through a handpicked selection of top policies for you. But first, here’s a deep dive into this crucial coverage.

What Is Flood Insurance?

Summed up, flood insurance will cover your property/structure and most of your belongings if they’re inundated by natural water (i.e., rain, waves, etc.). Many policies dictate that the water must cover at least two acres of normally dry land in order to qualify for reimbursement. Flood insurance can be purchased by homeowners or business owners, or even renters.

Is Flood Insurance Mandatory?

Possibly. Your mortgage lender may require you to have a policy if your property is located in an area deemed to be at high risk of flooding. However, even properties that are not in designated high-risk areas may require coverage.

Check in with your mortgage lender to be sure. Either way, it’s a safe bet to have it. Waking up to a basement full of water is already stressful enough, but having coverage could at least cushion the financial blow.

Why Do I Need Flood Insurance?

To protect your property, finances, and peace of mind. Floods cause millions of dollars in damage each year, and are the most common natural disaster in the US. Water damage is also extremely costly. 

As little as one inch of water in a home can cost as much as $21,000. Having coverage could mean the difference between financial devastation and being able to rest easy, should a storm hit your area. 

What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

Flood insurance policies are similar to homeowners insurance policies in the sense that they exist to protect both your home and your stuff. The difference is that flood insurance is there to cushion the financial blow should your property become flooded by a natural water source (just know that a badly clogged toilet doesn’t count).  

Flood insurance will specifically cover:

• Damage to/loss of your home: Includes the foundation of the structure, electrical systems, indoor plumbing, built-in appliances, and additional  installed flooring, such as carpeting. Detached structures like sheds can also be covered, but usually to a lesser limit.
• Damage to/loss of your stuff: Including furniture (built-in and freestanding), smaller/not built-in appliances, artwork, some food, valuables, and clothing.

*Any depreciation of your property’s value will be factored into what the insurance policy pays towards reimbursement for damage.

Additional flood coverage may include the following:

• Debris removal
• Loss avoidance measures
• Floodproofing costs

An independent insurance agent is your best ally when it comes to selecting a flood insurance policy that best meets your specific needs.

What’s Not Covered by Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance is only meant to cover natural flooding events, so coverage comes with certain exclusions. However, other types of flooding events are often covered by homeowners insurance. Flood insurance tends to exclude the following:

• Flooding caused by non-natural water events (e.g., backed-up toilets or sewers)
• Property outside of the dwelling like patios, fences, pools, septic systems, and plants
• Natural flooding events that inundate less than two acres of land
• Mold, mildew, or other moisture damage
• Earthquake or mudslide damage
• Additional living expenses*

*Homeowners insurance does cover additional living expenses if you’re forced to live elsewhere while repairs are made to your home after a flood. Your independent insurance agent can help you review other exclusions under flood insurance and help address any concerns you may have.

Will My Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover Flood Damage?

Unfortunately, no. A homeowners policy will never cover the cost of flood damage or a number of other catastrophic accidents. It’s too difficult to predict the total cost of flood damage (or damage by other natural disasters) to homes each year. But your homeowners insurance does cover other types of flooding incidents, such as from built-in plumbing and certain kinds of water leaks.

Also, not enough insurance policyholders will pay extra towards their premiums for this protection, in order to cover the amount of money the insurance company would have to pay in damage claims. Therefore, offering flood coverage wouldn’t be a profitable option for homeowners insurance companies.

Who Needs Flood Insurance?

Those who live in flood zones especially need flood insurance, but if you live anywhere at risk of natural flooding, it’s more than a good idea to pick up coverage. Homeowners insurance across the US does not cover flood damage to homes, and paying for destruction out of pocket can be devastating. An independent insurance agent can talk with you further about whether getting flood insurance is the right choice for you.

Where Is Flood Insurance Available?

Flood insurance is only sold by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is part of FEMA. Participating insurance carriers can offer you the right flood coverage for your area. To find coverage, an independent insurance agent can greatly assist you in selecting carriers that not only offer flood insurance, but also those that offer the most comprehensive coverage at the most affordable rates.

Can I Only Get Flood Insurance from the State I Live in?

No. Flood insurance is offered by the NFIP, and it’s not necessary to get a state-specific plan. Also, you can only get coverage by purchasing it through an insurance agent, meaning you cannot directly buy it from the NFIP.

Major flooding events in the United States from 1980 to 2019, by economic cost (in billion US dollars)

The costliest flooding events by far in the observed period occurred in the Midwest region of the country, in 1993 and 2008. Those floods cost the US $37.9 billion and $12.2 billion in damage.

No matter where you live, it’s worth having a conversation about the importance of flood insurance with a trusted independent insurance agent.

What Type of Flood Insurance Do I Need?

How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost?

The cost of flood insurance policies depends on a couple of factors like location, flooding history, and the elevation of your property. Basically, the further away from flood zones you are and the less history of flooding you have, the less you’ll pay.

Rough price range for flood insurance:

• Low-end: If you live out in the middle of nowhere (like, say, Pennsylvania), you might pay only $300 annually.
• High-end: If you live in a high-risk flood area (like, say, Houston) you might pay an eyebrow-raising $3,500 annually. 

Things to Keep in Mind When Shopping for Flood Insurance

Before meeting with an independent insurance agent to discuss your flood insurance options, it’s helpful to keep these points in mind:

• The value of your home/business structure
• The value of your personal belongings/business inventory
• The value of any upgrades you’ve made to your home/business
• How often your area floods
• Any floodproofing measures you’ve taken with your home or business

Considering these factors beforehand can seriously help streamline the process of shopping for the right flood insurance policy.