Water damage is a homeowner's worst nightmare, capable of wreaking havoc on the most cherished investment – your home. Whether it's a burst pipe, a leaky roof, or a natural disaster, safeguarding your property against water-related perils is crucial. This is where flood insurance comes into play. Understanding the distinctions between homeowners insurance and flood insurance is important to make sure you are protected.
A homeowners insurance policy is essential to protecting your home against damage caused by multiple types of perils, such as fire, theft, and certain types of water damage. However, not all water-related incidents are covered by homeowners insurance. A homeowners insurance policy typically protects your home from some types of water-related damage, such as a burst pipe or the weight of ice, snow, or sleet. (Make sure to read your policy to verify coverage). Homeowners insurance policies generally don’t cover water damage caused by a flood or hurricane.
Flood Insurance is the Missing Piece
Flood insurance is a separate policy specifically designed to protect against the peril of flooding. It is typically not included in standard homeowners policies and must be purchased as a separate, standalone policy. Flood insurance policies can be provided by either the government program known as the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), or by Private Insurance Carriers. Here at FloodPrice.com, we offer both! Let us do the shopping for you and compare prices and coverage.
How Do I Know if My Water Damage Is Covered by Flood Insurance?
To answer this, it is important to understand how a flood is defined by both the NFIP and the Private Flood Insurance market. The NFIP defines flood in their insurance policy as a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of 2 or more acres of normally dry land area or of 2 or more properties. For a full definition of flood, view the NFIP summary of coverage pdf.
If you are looking for a broader definition of flood that triggers coverage more easily, a private flood insurance policy may be the answer. A broader definition of flood can provide you with peace of mind knowing that your flood policy should cover your damage. Also, private flood policies typically have [B1] broader coverage options than the NFIP, like personal property in a basement and higher limits. See our comparison chart for some examples.
In general, I don't like saying they are "our" policies. I also wrote the word typically because NCIP is the only policy that has a different definition. Most private insurance companies just copy the NFIP definition.
Let's Compare | FloodPrice.com | NFIP |
Compliant with State Insurance Laws | Yes | No |
Max Residential Building Coverage Amount | $4,000,000 | $250,000 |
Max Content Coverage Amount | $500,000 | $100,00 |
Additional Coverage Options Available** | Additional Living Expenses, Debris, Removal & Carports | None |
Basement Coverage Available* | Paint, Flooring, Baseboards, Personal Property and more. | Drywall (No Tape or Mud) |
Additional Fees Required for Coverage of More Than One Structure | No | Yes |
Waiting Period for Policy Inception | 15 Days | 30 Days |
Do I Really Need Flood Insurance?
According to FEMA’s records from 2010 to 2018, the annual cost of flood damage nationwide was approximately $17 billion dollars, a staggering figure that put many home and business owners in a devastating financial position. Unfortunately, too many property owners think they have protection against the peril of flood under their homeowners insurance policies; typically, they do not.
As floods continue to threaten property owners nationwide, it’s important to get educated about flood insurance and make sure your property is properly protected. Visit our Quote Page to get a free online quote or call us at 866-503-5663. One of our flood specialists can help you evaluate your risk and find the best flood policy for your home. Don’t wait until a storm is on the horizon to obtain flood insurance, call us today
