When was the last time you sat down with your insurance provider to review all your insurance coverages? Many people are unaware of the gaps in coverage they need. 

When you buy a home, one of the first things you do is protect it with homeowners’ insurance. It’s your safety net against disasters—fire, theft, storms, even a burst pipe. But here’s the catch: standard homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover flood damage.

That’s a fact many homeowners don’t realize until it’s too late.

The Big Gap in Your Policy

Most homeowners’ policies cover water damage from inside the home—think leaky roofs, broken appliances, or a burst pipe. But external flooding—from heavy rain, rising rivers, storm surges, or even overwhelmed storm drains—is not included.

That’s where flood insurance comes in.

You don’t have to live on the coast to be at risk. In fact, over 25% of flood claims come from homes in low or moderate-risk areas, according to FEMA. And with extreme weather becoming more common, areas that rarely flooded in the past are now seeing rising water levels and surprise flash floods.

Without flood insurance, any damage to your floors, walls, appliances, or personal belongings caused by floodwaters could come straight out of your pocket.

Do You Need Flood Insurance?

If you’re in a high-risk flood zone, your mortgage lender will likely require it. But if you’re outside that zone, you still might want to consider it—especially if your area has poor drainage, is prone to heavy rain, or has had even minor flooding in the past.

And here’s the good news: flood insurance is usually more affordable in low-risk areas, sometimes just a few hundred dollars a year.

How to Add Flood Insurance

Flood insurance is not typically bundled with homeowners’ insurance. It’s a separate policy, either through the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP) or a private insurer.

If you already have homeowners’ coverage, your current insurance provider may be able to add flood insurance or refer you to someone who can.

Final Thoughts

Flood damage is one of the most expensive disasters a homeowner can face, and one of the least covered under a basic policy. Take the time to review your homeowner’s insurance, assess your flood risk, and consider whether flood coverage makes sense for your property.

Because when the water starts rising, the last thing you want is to find out you’re not covered.

Please feel free to contact me today, and I would be happy to review your insurance coverages or get you free quotes together.