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Flood
Never included in a home or commercial policy. It has to be bought separately, through the NFIP or a private carrier.
Start the flood application →- What it covers
- The structure, its foundation, and permanently installed systems
- Appliances, and personal property up to a separate limit
- Debris removal after the water goes down
- Detached garages, on a limited basis
- What it doesn't cover
- Living expenses while you're displaced, on NFIP policies
- Basements and below-grade finishings, mostly
- Landscaping, fences, decks, and pools
- Cars — flood damage to a vehicle falls under comprehensive auto
- Typical limits
- NFIP caps at $250,000 building and $100,000 contents for a home. Private carriers write above that and often cover displacement.
- Worth knowing
- There is a 30-day waiting period on NFIP policies, so you cannot buy this when a storm is already forecast. Collin and Denton counties have creek and drainage flood zones that surprise people whose lender never required it.
Common questions about flood
What does flood cover?
The structure, its foundation, and permanently installed systems. Appliances, and personal property up to a separate limit. Debris removal after the water goes down. Detached garages, on a limited basis.
What does flood not cover?
Living expenses while you're displaced, on NFIP policies. Basements and below-grade finishings, mostly. Landscaping, fences, decks, and pools. Cars — flood damage to a vehicle falls under comprehensive auto.
What limits are typical?
NFIP caps at $250,000 building and $100,000 contents for a home. Private carriers write above that and often cover displacement.
What should I watch out for?
There is a 30-day waiting period on NFIP policies, so you cannot buy this when a storm is already forecast. Collin and Denton counties have creek and drainage flood zones that surprise people whose lender never required it.