What to do right now
- Stay safe. Don't walk or drive through floodwater, and keep away from downed power lines. Floodwater is often contaminated.
- Turn off power to flooded areas only if you can do it without standing in water.
- Photograph and video everything, including how high the water rose on the walls.
- Figure out where the water came from. A broken pipe or appliance inside, rain through a damaged roof, or rising water from outside.
- Report the claim to the right policy. Homeowners for water damage, and your flood policy (often through the NFIP) for flooding.
- Start cleanup and drying. Flood-soaked drywall, insulation and carpet usually have to be removed.
Is it covered?
Homeowners insurance covers many kinds of sudden water damage that starts inside the home, like a burst pipe or a failed appliance.
Flood means water from outside covering normally dry land: overflowing rivers, storm surge, heavy rain that pools and pours in. Homeowners policies almost always exclude it. It's covered only by a separate flood policy, from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer.
Gray areas
- Rain through a storm-damaged roof or window is usually treated as homeowners water damage, not flood.
- Groundwater seeping through a foundation is often excluded by both.
- Sewer backup during a flood may fall under the flood policy.
How flood insurance works
NFIP policies cover the building up to $250,000 and contents up to $100,000. Basement coverage is limited, and there's usually a 30-day wait before a new policy takes effect.
If you have both kinds of damage
Some losses involve both, like a storm that damages the roof and floods the basement. Each policy handles its part, so document where every bit of water came from.
Common questions
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
Almost never. Flood damage from rising water outside needs a separate flood policy.
Is rain coming through the roof a flood?
Usually not. If a storm damaged the roof and rain came in, it's typically handled as homeowners water damage.
Can I buy flood insurance after a storm is forecast?
You can, but NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so it won't cover a storm that's already on the way.