Flood Insurance
Give your home more protection, so you have peace-of-mind
For many homeowners, flood insurance is an essential extra layer of protection.
Adding flood insurance to your insurance package means you're covered if groundwater rises and floods your home—a situation that isn't usually covered by home policies.
Why flood insurance might be a must-have
We agree with the National Flood Insurance Program—everyone should have flood insurance, especially if you're in an area that has a high flood risk. You might even be required to have it if you're at high risk.
Here's why the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) recommends flood insurance to everyone:
The situations that cause flooding—heavy rain, melting snow, severe coastal weather—can happen anywhere. In fact, one in five flood insurance claims comes from someone in a low—or medium-risk area.
Most of your house is covered; what isn't?
Generally, most of your house is covered by flood insurance.
Specifically, the core parts of your home—like the foundation and the systems that keep it running—are covered. So are appliances.
Carpeting and personal belongings are generally covered, too, unless they're in the basement.
Take these steps to protect your home from potential flood damage:
Use water-resistant building materials.
Leave the basement or lower floors unfinished.
Prevent sewer lines from backing up— install backflow valves or standpipes.
Raise your washer and dryer, water heater, oil tank, furnace or any electrical wiring on concrete blocks, above the base flood elevation (BFE). If you can't raise these items, consider protecting them with a floodwall or shield.
Install flood shields or built-up barriers for basement windows and doors. The tops of the shields and barriers should extend above the BFE.
Install and maintain a sump pump system if you have below-grade floors.
Landscape with native plants and vegetation that resist soil erosion.