Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Floods?
No, flood insurance covers flooding. However, if you have a pipe burst in your home, you may be covered, at least partially. If there was a storm that destroyed your roof and it rained, you may be partially covered for the flooding and possibly to repair the roof if it wasn’t in bad shape prior to the storm.
It’s always wise to have a flood policy if you live in flood-prone areas. Coastal areas in California, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina are very vulnerable to flooding. Flooding can cause mold if the foundation is not dried immediately. Mold is not covered by home insurance because it can often be prevented.
Note that there is a 30-day waiting period before your flood insurance goes into effect after you purchase it. You’ll be hard pressed to be able to buy flood insurance after a storm or immediately before one so it’s a good idea to get coverage well ahead of time.
Fran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about insurance-related topics. Prior, she was an arts and entertainment editor in New York City. She has a B.A. from Barnard College and an M.F.A. in writing from The New School. She writes books under her given name, Afarin Majidi.
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