Your home may be at risk—no matter where you live.
Flood insurance can reimburse you for damages, helping you fix your home and repair or replace lost belongings.
Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States—and they’re also the most destructive and costly. In fact, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that a single inch of floodwater can cause more than $25,000 in damage in an average-sized home.
Are floods covered by my homeowner’s insurance?
Most homeowners and renters insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. Without additional flood insurance coverage, you’ll need to pay out of your own pocket to repair or replace anything damaged in a flood.
Flood insurance is purchased separately from your homeowners or renters insurance policy.
What does flood insurance cover?
Most flood insurance policies may cover
Your home’s structure
Damaged cabinets, paneling, and built-in bookcases
Carpeting and window treatments
Your home’s main functional systems, such as its electrical, plumbing, and heating and air conditioning systems
Household appliances, such as refrigerators and freezers (and the food within them), stoves, dishwashers, and washing machines
Personal belongings including furnishings, electronics, and clothing. Policies often have specific limits for certain valuables, such as art
Flood insurance policies generally do not cover
Moisture or mildew damage not caused by a flood
Damage that could have been avoided
Damage to property located outside of your home, such as trees, decks, and fences
Damage to vehicles
Additional living expenses, should you need to temporarily relocate while your home is being repaired. (Most AAA homeowners insurance policies offer flood emergency assistance, which pays up to $3,000 for additional living expenses if flood waters force you from your home.)
Do I need flood insurance?
If you live in a high-risk flood area and have previously received federal disaster assistance from FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration, you may be required to purchase flood insurance to be considered for any future federal disaster aid. Your mortgage lender may also require flood insurance.
Even if you don’t live in a flood-prone zone, getting flood insurance is still a wise move. One in five insurance claims come from outside high-risk areas. Floods can happen in inland areas due to an overflowing creek, for example, or water coming down a hillside. According to FEMA, no home is completely safe from the risk of flooding.
If a flood hits your area, you might expect the federal government to swoop in and take care of things. But federal disaster assistance only kicks in if the President declares the flood a federal disaster. Even then, while the government might offer a loan to help repair your home, you’d need to pay it back—with interest. Flood insurance, on the other hand, will pay you outright for flood damage, whether or not the flood is deemed a national disaster.
What options are available for those who require flood insurance?
What is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?
Insurance companies offer flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is overseen by FEMA.
NFIP policies provide up to $250,000 in coverage for damage to your home and $100,000 for damage to your personal belongings.
What is the average cost of flood insurance?
The average flood insurance policy can cost approximately $700 per year, although the cost depends on where you live. Your monthly premium may be higher if you live close to high-risk flood zones. Your friendly AAA insurance agent can provide more information.