No matter the insurer, flood insurance policies provide protection for items under different coverages. One of those is coverage for the home or building’s structure and another important coverage option is for contents inside the building. The differences between the two play a major role in determining what exactly is covered and how much financial compensation you could receive after a flood.
Just how much coverage is available for each is determined by the flood insurance policy you buy. Policyholders with an NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) policy may find their coverage to be limited when compared to policies purchased through the private market.
No matter which policy you buy, your flood policy’s building coverage typically covers things like:
Electrical and plumbing systems
Furnaces, water heaters, central air conditioners, heat pumps and sump pumps
Fuel tanks, well water tanks and solar energy equipment
Built-in appliances such as dishwashers
Refrigerators and cooking ranges
Permanently installed carpeting
Permanently affixed cabinets, paneling and wallboard
Bookcases that have been permanently installed
Window blinds
Foundation walls and staircases
Anchorage systems
Detached garages
Personal property/contents coverage typically includes:
Clothing
Furniture
Electronic equipment
Washers and dryers
Artwork
Sporting goods and toys
Carpeting installed over other types of flooring not included in building coverage
Portable air conditioners
Curtains
It’s important to note that most flood insurance policies don’t automatically provide contents coverage. If coverage for personal property is desired, it must be purchased in addition to building coverage. And while homeowners in high-risk flood zones are required to have building coverage, whether or not they insure their personal property is entirely up to them. According to FEMA, only one in four homeowners with a standard flood insurance policy is covered for damage to their contents. That’s a sizeable gamble when you consider the out of pocket expenses that could be needed to replace damaged personal property.
If you have a finished basement, or an unfinished one that houses personal property, you should consider what coverage is available for these items when shopping for a flood policy. There are policies available through the private market that can cover repair costs for finished walls, flooring, cabinetry, and more, if the damage is caused by a flooding event. Please be aware that water seepage through a crack in the foundation, or a back up from a plumbing system, aren't typically covered by flood insurance policies.
In addition to basement coverage, private insurers accessed through FloodPrice.com, offer increased policy limits with building coverage up to $4 million and contents coverage up to $500,000. The NFIP’s building coverage maxes out at $250,000 and contents its coverage is capped at $100,000.
Whether you select a policy through the private flood insurance market or the NFIP, it’s important to understand what your policy covers, and in the event of a flood loss, what falls under your building or contents coverage. Dealing with the loss of personal items or damage to your home is never easy, but with the right policy, you can get back on your feet in no time!
