What is Flood Insurance?
Flood insurance is a specialized type of property coverage that protects your home and personal belongings against damage caused by flooding. Because standard homeowners and renters insurance policies almost universally exclude flood damage, a separate flood policy is the only reliable way to safeguard your property from one of the most common and costly natural disasters.
Common Causes of Flooding
- Heavy or prolonged rainfall overwhelming drainage systems
- Overflow from rivers, streams, or nearby bodies of water
- Storm surges from hurricanes and coastal weather events
- Failure of dams or levee systems
- Rapid snowmelt or ice jam releases
Flood insurance in the United States is primarily available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a federally administered program. The Fortis Insurance can help you understand your options and secure the coverage that fits your property and location.
What Does Flood Insurance Cover?
A standard flood insurance policy is divided into two distinct components: building coverage for the physical structure of your home, and contents coverage for your personal belongings. Depending on the policy you select, you may carry one or both.
Building Coverage
Building coverage protects the physical structure of your home and its permanently attached systems and components. When floodwaters cause structural damage, this portion of your policy helps pay for repairs or replacements so your home remains livable.
- Walls, doors, and windows
- Electrical and plumbing systems
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
- Built-in appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, and dishwashers
- Flooring, carpeting, and subflooring
- Cabinets and built-in shelving
Contents Coverage
Contents coverage extends protection to the personal belongings inside your home. Documenting your possessions - especially higher-value items - before a flood event helps ensure a smoother and more accurate claims process.
- Clothing, shoes, and accessories
- Furniture and home furnishings
- Electronics including televisions, computers, and gaming systems
- Small appliances such as microwaves, coffee makers, and kitchen gadgets
- Personal valuables including jewelry, artwork, and collectibles
- Books, linens, and general household items
It's worth noting that not all water-related damage to your home is covered by a flood policy. Damage from a burst pipe, for example, is typically handled under a homeowners or renters policy rather than flood insurance. Reviewing both policies together ensures you're not left with unexpected coverage gaps.
What Flood Insurance Doesn't Cover
Flood insurance provides broad protection for flood-related losses, but it does not cover every scenario. Knowing the exclusions helps you identify where supplemental coverage or proactive preparation may be warranted.
Mold and Mildew After the Flood
Once floodwaters recede, any mold or mildew that develops as a result of lingering moisture is generally excluded from flood insurance coverage. Prompt drying and remediation after a flood event is the most effective way to prevent these secondary issues.
Paper Documents and Photographs
Irreplaceable paper items - including personal records, important documents, books, and printed photographs - are generally not covered under standard flood insurance policies.
Outdoor Property and Landscaping
Items located outside the home's structure, including fences, decks, patios, landscaping, and outdoor furniture, typically fall outside the scope of flood coverage.
Business Interruption and Lost Income
A personal flood insurance policy does not compensate for income lost or business expenses incurred because a flood prevents you from working or operating your business.
Vehicles
Cars, motorcycles, boats, and other vehicles are not covered under standard residential flood insurance. Comprehensive auto insurance typically covers flood damage to vehicles separately.
If any of these exclusions represent a meaningful risk for your situation, speak with an insurance specialist about what additional coverage options may be available.
Types of Floods and Events Flood Insurance Covers
Flood damage can result from a variety of natural events - and many of them can affect properties well outside of what most people think of as a 'flood zone.' Here are the most common scenarios that flood insurance is designed to address.
Heavy Rainstorms
Intense or sustained rainfall can exceed the capacity of local drainage systems, causing water to accumulate rapidly and enter homes in areas that don't traditionally experience flooding.
River and Stream Overflow
Elevated water levels in rivers, streams, and creeks can spill beyond their banks and flood adjacent residential and commercial properties, sometimes with very little warning.
Hurricane and Tropical Storm Surges
Coastal storms push large volumes of seawater inland, often causing more property damage than the wind itself. Storm surge flooding is one of the most destructive forces associated with hurricanes.
Snowmelt Flooding
A rapid increase in temperatures following a significant snowfall can cause rivers and streams to swell quickly, producing flooding in low-lying areas and regions near waterways.
Dam and Levee Failures
When dams or levees are compromised - often during periods of excessive rainfall or structural stress - they can release large volumes of water into surrounding communities with devastating speed.
Who Needs Flood Insurance?
When It's Legally Required
If your property is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you carry a federally backed mortgage, federal law generally requires you to maintain flood insurance for the duration of your loan. Properties in an SFHA face at least a one-percent annual chance of flooding - commonly referred to as the '100-year flood' threshold.
When It's Strongly Recommended
- Properties outside designated flood zones still experience flooding - in fact, a significant portion of flood claims come from areas considered low-to-moderate risk.
- Factors like local terrain, soil type, vegetation, and upstream development can all increase flood risk for properties that aren't directly adjacent to water.
- Homeowners and renters insurance policies do not cover flood damage, leaving uninsured property owners fully exposed to the financial cost of repairs and replacement.
- Even a few inches of floodwater can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage to flooring, walls, furniture, and appliances.
The 30-Day Waiting Period
Flood insurance policies purchased through the NFIP typically take 30 days to become effective from the date of application. This waiting period is a critical consideration - purchasing coverage only after a storm is approaching or a flood warning has been issued will not provide timely protection. Exceptions may apply in specific circumstances, such as when coverage is required as a condition of a new home purchase closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Protect your property
DON'T WAIT FOR THE RAIN - GET FLOOD COVERAGE BEFORE YOU NEED IT.
The Fortis Insurance helps homeowners and renters understand their flood risk and secure the coverage that standard policies don't provide. With a 30-day waiting period on most policies, the best time to act is before a storm is on the horizon.
Get a Flood Insurance Quote