How to protect your home with flood insurance

Follow these five steps to learn more about what flood insurance is and whether it’s the right option for you and your household.

1. Learn about flood insurance

Flood insurance is a type of property coverage that protects homeowners or renters from flood-related damage. Homeowners or renters insurance policies do not typically cover flood damage.

2. Find out what flood insurance covers

Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides coverage for a single-family residence up to $250,000 and its contents up to $100,000. For renters, it covers contents up to $100,000. Higher limits may be available from private flood insurers.

3. Consider whether or not you need flood insurance

For people who live within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and have certain types of mortgages, having flood insurance is mandatory. For those outside SFHAs, flood insurance is no less important. FEMA statistics show that people who live outside of high-risk areas file more than 25% of flood claims nationwide. Deciding to purchase flood insurance depends on a lot of factors, including your level of risk acceptance, household location, and financial means.

4. Learn how to buy flood insurance

Flood insurance can be purchased through the NFIP or from private flood insurers. Purchasing through private insurance can be done in conjunction with an NFIP policy or on a stand-alone basis. You should start by discussing your options with your insurance agent, the same person who sells your home or auto insurance. You can also use the NFIP insurance provider locator to find a provider near you.

5. Explore more risk prevention options to protect yourself

There are several other flood mitigation options you can consider depending on your specific circumstances.

Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides coverage for a single-family residence up to $250,000 and its contents up to $100,000. For renters, it covers contents up to $100,000. Higher limits may be available from private flood insurers.

FEMA flood insurance fact sheet

Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides coverage for a single-family residence up to $250,000 and its contents up to $100,000. For renters, it covers contents up to $100,000. Higher limits may be available from private flood insurers.

Learn more about the NFIP

For people who live within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and have certain types of mortgages, having flood insurance is mandatory. For those outside SFHAs, flood insurance is no less important. FEMA statistics show that people who live outside of high-risk areas file more than 25% of flood claims nationwide. Deciding to purchase flood insurance depends on a lot of factors, including your level of risk acceptance, household location, and financial means.

Flood insurance can be purchased through the NFIP or from private flood insurers. Purchasing through private insurance can be done in conjunction with an NFIP policy or on a stand-alone basis. You should start by discussing your options with your insurance agent, the same person who sells your home or auto insurance. You can also use the NFIP insurance provider locator to find a provider near you.

FEMA guide to buying flood insurance Locate an NFIP insurance provider

There are several other flood mitigation options you can consider depending on your specific circumstances.

Explore more protection options