Does My Homeowners Policy Cover Flooding?
Heavy rain can push rivers and creeks over their banks fast, and here in Indiana we live close to many of them. But very few homeowners have flood insurance. A recent Associated Press study found that only about 2.4% of U.S. properties have a federal flood policy. Yet about 8.4% are at severe or extreme flood risk.
No. A standard homeowners or renters policy does not cover flood damage. Flood coverage is a separate policy. You can get it through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or from a private flood insurance company.
Flood insurance covers damage from rising water, like an overflowing river or heavy rain that pools around your home. It can cover the building itself, such as walls, floors, your furnace, and your water heater. It can also cover your belongings, like furniture, clothes, and electronics. Renters can buy coverage for their belongings too. Most NFIP policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage starts, so you can’t wait for a bad forecast to buy it. The typical flood policy costs about $1,100 a year nationwide.
Many people think their homeowners policy already covers floods. It doesn’t. In fact, many homeowners claims that were closed without payment involved flood damage the policy never covered. Another common idea is “I’m not in a flood zone, so I don’t need it.” But floods can happen anywhere it rains. Flood zones only show where the risk is highest, not the only places it exists.
First, check if you have flood coverage today. Most people don’t. Then ask your agent to quote both NFIP and private flood options so you can compare price and limits. Buy it before you need it, because of the 30-day wait. And if you rent, ask about flood coverage for your belongings.
At RiverTree, you don’t need to become an insurance expert. You simply need an agent you can trust. We give honest guidance, explain your coverage clearly, and build lasting relationships based on trust and transparency. Every RiverTree blog reflects our core values: trust, honesty, and clarity.