{"id":352584,"date":"2017-06-01T16:10:21","date_gmt":"2017-06-01T21:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer\/insurance\/flood-insurance.html"},"modified":"2024-01-31T11:41:53","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T16:41:53","slug":"flood-insurance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/insurance\/flood-insurance.html","title":{"rendered":"Flood Insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Flood Insurance<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/oni-harton-j-d\/\">Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/melissa-bender-esq\/\">Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            January 31, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>If you don&#8217;t live in a high-risk flood zone, an area with the greatest risk of flooding, you may not have considered buying flood insurance. However, purchasing a flood policy is prudent for many owners and renters.<\/p>\r\n<p>Flooding can happen anywhere. Natural disasters are increasing each year. There&#8217;s a chance for flood damage, even in areas considered low-risk. Typical renters&#8217; insurance and standard&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/does-homeowners-insurance-cover-natural-disasters.html\">homeowners&#8217; insurance policies<\/a>&nbsp;don&#8217;t cover most types of flood damage.<\/p>\r\n<p>Below, you&#8217;ll find an in-depth explanation of the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>When a property must have flood insurance coverage<\/li>\r\n<li>What flood insurance covers<\/li>\r\n<li>Responsibilities of the insurance provider<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Read on to learn more.<\/p>\r\n<h2>What Is Flooding?<\/h2>\r\n<p>According to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncdoi.gov\/nfip-summarycoverage\/open\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)<\/a>, in simple terms, a&nbsp;flood&nbsp;is&nbsp;&quot;an excess of water on land that is normally dry.&quot; Under the standard policy language, a flood is &quot;a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or of two or more properties (at least one of which is your property) from&quot; the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Overflow of inland or tidal waters<\/li>\r\n<li>Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source<\/li>\r\n<li>Mudflow, which is&nbsp;a river of liquid and flowing mud on the surface of normally dry land areas<\/li>\r\n<li>Collapse or subsidence of land along a body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Typical flood insurance policies do not cover wind-driven rain and hail damage.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Am I Required To Have Flood Insurance?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Not everyone is required to have flood insurance. If you have a federally regulated mortgage and live in a high-risk flood area known as a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fema.gov\/glossary\/special-flood-hazard-area-sfha\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Special Flood Hazard Area<\/a>&nbsp;(SFHA), the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 requires you to obtain it.<\/p>\r\n<p>The federal government uses&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fema.gov\/flood-maps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">flood maps<\/a>&nbsp;to designate areas at highest risk for flooding. Lenders and landlords may use flood maps, too. They can use the flood map data to insist that you purchase flood insurance as a prerequisite to your loan or lease.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Flood Insurance Requirements<\/h3>\r\n<p>Homeowners and business owners in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floodsmart.gov\/am-i-required-have-flood-insurance#:~:text=Homes%20and%20businesses%20in%20high,require%20you%20to%20have%20insurance.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">high-risk flood areas with government-backed mortgages<\/a>&nbsp;must have flood insurance.<\/p>\r\n<p>You must maintain flood insurance if you live in a high-risk flood area and have received disaster assistance. Paying your flood insurance premiums and maintaining flood insurance will keep you eligible to apply for any future disaster aid.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Consider Purchasing Optional Flood Insurance<\/h3>\r\n<p>Federal law does not require flood insurance if you live outside of the high-risk area, but it can bring you peace of mind. Flood insurance can protect your home and savings. Exploring obtaining flood insurance, even when not required, is wise.<\/p>\r\n<p>Policyholders are not usually covered for flooding damage with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/insuring-your-home.html\">home insurance policies<\/a>. These policies typically only cover water damage that originates inside your home.<\/p>\r\n<p>Homeowners&#8217; policies will usually provide contents coverage for water damage from a burst pipe or a water heater. It won&#8217;t cover you for flooding caused by:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>A river overflowing<\/li>\r\n<li>Mudslides<\/li>\r\n<li>Many other types of flood damage<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>The National Flood Insurance Program<\/h2>\r\n<p>Congress created the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fema.gov\/national-flood-insurance-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Flood Insurance Program<\/a>&nbsp;(NFIP). The NFIP provides property owners affordable flood insurance and helps mitigate flood devastation. This federal flood insurance program works through local preventative measures. NFIP helps with floodplain management.<\/p>\r\n<p>If&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fema.gov\/national-flood-insurance-program-community-status-book\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a given community<\/a>&nbsp;agrees to adopt and enforce ordinances to manage its flood risks, the federal government will agree to provide flood insurance. The NFIP policies cover members of that community who qualify for coverage. Under the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the NFIP.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floodsmart.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Floodsmart.gov<\/a>, a FEMA website, provides a wealth of information regarding flood insurance.<\/p>\r\n<h2>What Does Flood Insurance Cover?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Even though it&#8217;s called&nbsp;flood insurance,&nbsp;it doesn&#8217;t necessarily cover all types of flood damage. The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/corporate.findlaw.com\/law-library\/myths-and-facts-about-the-national-flood-insurance.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">type of policy<\/a>&nbsp;you choose determines how the insurance will cover the flood insurance claim.<\/p>\r\n<p>You can select coverage for your actual property (i.e., the building), personal property (i.e., furniture and clothing), or both. The NFIP offers&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floodsmart.gov\/whats-covered\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">two types of coverage<\/a>&nbsp;to protect your home and belongings \u2014 building coverage and contents coverage.<\/p>\r\n<p>The typical property policy (building coverage) includes coverage up to $250,000 ($500,000 for commercial buildings) for the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Your home and its foundation<\/li>\r\n<li>Electrical and plumbing systems<\/li>\r\n<li>HVAC equipment<\/li>\r\n<li>Kitchen appliances<\/li>\r\n<li>Permanently installed carpeting<\/li>\r\n<li>Other permanently installed fixtures<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>The standard&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/property.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">personal property<\/a>&nbsp;(contents coverage) policy includes the following coverage, up to $100,000 ($500,000 for commercial):<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Furniture<\/li>\r\n<li>Electronics<\/li>\r\n<li>Clothing<\/li>\r\n<li>Washers\/dryers<\/li>\r\n<li>Curtains<\/li>\r\n<li>Freezers and the food in them<\/li>\r\n<li>Valuables (subject to policy limits)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Flood insurance protects your assets and the things you value.<\/p>\r\n<h2>What Isn&#8217;t Covered by Standard Flood Insurance Coverage?<\/h2>\r\n<p>It&#8217;s also important to note things that are not usually included in a standard flood insurance policy, such as:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Cash<\/li>\r\n<li>Precious metals<\/li>\r\n<li>Valuable papers like stock certificates<\/li>\r\n<li>Property outside your home, including pools, hot tubs, fences, and decks<\/li>\r\n<li>Cars<\/li>\r\n<li>Temporary accommodations while your home is under repair<\/li>\r\n<li>Financial losses caused by business interruption<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Finding an Insurance Provider<\/h2>\r\n<p>NFIP partners with private insurance companies and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfipdirect.fema.gov\/Membership\/SignIn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NFIP Direct<\/a>&nbsp;to sell and service flood insurance policies. An agent can provide you with a quote for flood insurance costs.<\/p>\r\n<p>If your insurance agent does not sell flood insurance or you need assistance locating a flood insurance provider, use the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floodsmart.gov\/flood-insurance-provider\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>NFIP insurance provider locator<\/u><\/a>&nbsp;to help.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Responsibilities of the Insurance Company<\/h2>\r\n<p>Even if you obtain flood insurance&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fema.gov\/national-flood-insurance-program\/How-Buy-Flood-Insurance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">through the NFIP<\/a>, it&#8217;s handled by private insurance companies. The insured pays premiums to the insurance company. In exchange, the insurance company agrees to pay for specified losses up to the policy limits of your plan.<\/p>\r\n<p>After flood damage, you should contact your insurance company immediately and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/corporate.findlaw.com\/law-library\/tips-on-handling-your-flood-insurance-claim.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">file a claim<\/a>. The insurance agent will assign your claim to an adjuster. They will also assist you with the claims process and determine the value of damaged property and the cost of repairs.<\/p>\r\n<p>If your insurance company refuses to cover your legitimate claim or otherwise fails to cooperate under the terms of your insurance policy, you have several options.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>You can try to sue the company in a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/business-contracts-forms\/breach-of-contract-and-lawsuits.html\">breach of contract<\/a>&nbsp;lawsuit or file a suit claiming they&#8217;ve acted in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/what-is-bad-faith-insurance-law.html\">bad faith<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>You can also contact&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/resources-state-insurance-organizations.html\">your state&#8217;s Department of Insurance<\/a>, which enforces state law regarding the insurance industry<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>A local insurance attorney can help you determine the best option.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Protecting Your Rights After a Flood<\/h2>\r\n<p>The physical damage and emotional turmoil caused by a flood can be overwhelming. Flood insurance can prevent financial ruin and bring about a quick recovery.<\/p>\r\n<p>Understanding what your policy covers and your rights and obligations can also be complex. If you&#8217;re having issues with your flood insurance, don&#8217;t fight that battle alone. To protect your interests and recuperate your losses after a flood, contact a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/insurance-law\/-law?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">local insurance attorney<\/a>&nbsp;familiar with flood insurance laws and regulations.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" 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fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Consumer legal issues typically need an attorney&#8217;s support\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    You can hire an attorney to enforce your rights for safe products, fair transactions, and legal credit, banking and related financial matters\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Legal cases for identity theft, scams, or the Equal Credit Opportunity Act can be complicated and slow. 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<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your homeowners&#8217; policy usually doesn&#8217;t cover damage from floods, so it&#8217;s important to know if you need flood insurance and how to get it. 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