5+ years in auto insurance and personal finance writing
Featured in top personal finance publications
Lindsay is a widely published creator of auto insurance content. She also specializes in real estate, banking, credit cards, and other personal finance topics.
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
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Flood insurance helps pay to repair or replace your home and your damaged belongings after a covered flood. Among other exclusions, a basic flood insurance policy only covers damage from excess water on the land surrounding your home, and it doesn’t cover sewer backup that isn’t flood-related.[1]
Still, flood insurance is important, and if you live in a high-risk area your mortgage lender may require it.[2] Here’s what you need to know about getting flood insurance for your home insurance coverage.
Quick Facts
Flood insurance is required for some homeowners who live in high-risk flood areas and have government-backed mortgages.[2]
The average annual cost of flood insurance in 2022 through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was $888.[3]
Flood insurance offered through the NFIP comes with exclusions and limits.
Flood insurance explained
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which provides flood insurance to property owners through a network of more than 50 insurance companies and the NFIP Direct. FEMA manages NFIP Direct, which services flood insurance policies.
The NFIP defines a flood as a temporary excess of water on two or more acres, or two or more properties, that are typically dry. The flooding must come from a source outside your home. Sewer backup in your home doesn’t count as a flood, for example.
A flood insurance policy helps protect you against losses in the event of a flood, in exchange for monthly premiums. If you purchase building and contents coverage from the NFIP, you’ll have coverage for the structure of your home, your personal belongings, and more.
Note that private flood insurance companies also sell flood insurance outside of the NFIP and may offer more coverage with fewer exclusions at a higher price.
For Example
If a nearby lake overflows and causes water to enter your home, the water could destroy your carpeting and wallboards. Flood insurance would help pay to repair or replace them. Just be aware that exclusions exist. For example, if you fail to clean up the damage properly, flood insurance won’t cover the resulting mold.[4]
Do you need flood insurance?
Homeowners who live in high-risk flood areas and have a government-backed mortgage must purchase a flood insurance policy. Even if you live outside a flood zone, your lender may require flood insurance. And while not all lenders require flood insurance, it’s still a good insurance to have.[2]
Flooding can wreak havoc on your home and leave you with unaffordable expenses that your homeowners insurance policy won’t cover. To get an idea of what a flood may cost you, check out FEMA’s cost of flooding calculator. It’s important to understand that every home is vulnerable to flooding.
What flood insurance covers
Flood insurance covers the structure of your home and, if you choose, its contents. NFIP policy limits are $250,000 for building coverage and $100,000 for contents coverage for most residential properties.[5]
A basic flood insurance policy from the NFIP covers the following:[4]
Building coverage
Building and foundation
Electrical systems
Heating and cooling equipment
Built-in appliances, fridges, and cooking stoves
Flooring and carpeting
Permanent fixtures, like cabinets
Wall blinds
Debris removal
Contents coverage
Personal property, like clothing and furniture
Valuables, like art and jewelry, up to $2,500
Curtains
Portable appliances and air conditioners
Food freezers and food
Washers and dryers
What flood insurance doesn’t cover
While flood insurance offers important protection for your home, it doesn’t cover all losses associated with a flood.
Additional living expenses if you can’t live in your home during repairs
Lost revenue if the property is for business purposes
In addition, flood insurance doesn’t cover damage water causes in your home that doesn’t meet the definition of a flood. For example, sewer backup isn’t covered unless flooding causes it.
Also bear in mind that private flood insurance may offer broader coverage for some of the items excluded by the NFIP.
How much does flood insurance cost?
In the U.S., the average price homeowners pay for flood insurance through the NFIP is $888 annually. And 40% of policies cost homeowners $1,000 or less.[3]
However, your individual flood insurance premium will depend on the following factors:
The risk of flood perils in your area
Your home’s characteristics, like the type of foundation
Features that allow your home to withstand flooding, like flood vents
Your home’s location and elevation relative to flooding sources
The cost to rebuild your home after a flood
Levee performance
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How to buy flood insurance
If you need to purchase a flood insurance policy, follow these steps:
Decide if you want private flood insurance. If you’re looking for enhanced coverage, such as coverage for additional living expenses, you may want to consider private companiesthat offer coverage outside of the NFIP. Be aware that you’ll likely pay more for a private policy.[6] If your community doesn’t participate in the NFIP, you may have no choice but to buy private flood insurance.
Find flood insurance companies. If you’d like to purchase flood insurance through the NFIP, you can use theNFIP search toolto locate insurers in your state.
Compare flood insurance companies. If you buy flood insurance through the NFIP, you’ll pay a standard price no matter which company offers the policy. However, you may want to evaluate customer reviews and customer satisfaction ratings when choosing an insurer. If you’re happy with your home and auto insurer, you may check if it offers flood insurance as well.
Call an insurance agent or get an online quote. Once you’ve chosen a flood insurance company, go through the quote process. Choose a higher deductible if you want a lower premium, but make sure you’ll have enough cash on hand to cover your share of a potential flood insurance claim.
Read and understand the policy before signing. Review the policy carefully and get your questions answered so you understand what’s covered.
Wait 30 days for coverage to kick in. NFIP policies typically come with a 30-day waiting period, unless you ’re buying the coverage for a government-backed home or you qualify for other exceptions.[7]
Flood insurance FAQs
It’s important to understand how flood coverage works, especially if you live in a flood-prone area with heavy rain, hurricane seasons, or other risky weather patterns. Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about flood insurance.
Is my home at risk of flooding?
Every home has some flood risk, but some homes are in high-risk flood zones. Homeowners in these areas who have federally backed mortgages are required to have flood insurance. You can assess your home’s flood risk using FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center.
Does FEMA offer flood insurance in Florida?
Yes. FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) underwrites most Florida flood insurance policies.[8]
Is flood insurance a scam?
No. Though some scammers take advantage of natural disasters to pose as insurance companies and collect payment information from unsuspecting homeowners, flood insurance itself isn’t a scam. Additionally, the federal government backs most flood insurance policies.
Can you pay for flood insurance on a property you don’t own?
Yes. If you’re a renter, you can get a flood insurance policy that covers your personal belongings in the event of damage or loss from a flood.[9] However, you can’t generally buy insurance for a property you don’t own or live in.
Who is responsible for flood insurance, the HOA or the borrower?
Your homeowner’s association may purchase flood coverage for common property through the Residential Condominium Building Association Policy (RCBAP), but you may have to purchase additional coverage for your individual unit and personal property. Check with your homeowners association to determine whether your monthly dues include any flood insurance coverage.
Lindsay Frankel is a content writer specializing in personal finance and auto insurance topics. Her work has been featured in publications such as LendingTree, The Balance, Coverage.com, Bankrate, NextAdvisor, and FinanceBuzz.
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
