Storm Surge and Flooding: What Your Homeowner's Policy Covers
What your homeowner policy does not cover
Standard homeowner insurance policies specifically exclude flood damage. Flooding is defined as water that enters your home from outside due to rising water, storm surge, overflowing rivers or lakes, or surface water runoff. If a hurricane pushes ocean water into your home, that is storm surge and it is classified as flood damage.
Your homeowner policy will not pay for this damage regardless of how much dwelling coverage you carry.
What is covered vs. what is not
Your homeowner policy covers water damage from internal sources like burst pipes, appliance failures, and roof leaks caused by wind. It does not cover rising water from any external source. The distinction matters because after a major storm you may have both types of damage.
Wind-driven rain through a damaged roof is covered by your homeowner policy. Water rising from the ground up is flood damage and requires a flood policy.
How flood insurance works
Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and some private insurers. NFIP policies cover up to $250,000 for building coverage and $100,000 for contents. Private flood policies may offer higher limits.
There is typically a 30-day waiting period before a new flood policy takes effect, so you cannot buy one when a storm is approaching. Flood insurance premiums are based on your flood zone and elevation.
Separating wind and flood damage
After a hurricane or major storm, damage is often caused by both wind and flooding. Your homeowner policy covers the wind damage portion and your flood policy covers the flood damage portion. Disputes often arise over which damage was caused by which peril.
Documenting a timeline of when damage occurred, watermarks showing rising vs. falling water, and wind impact patterns helps separate the two.
What to do
Check whether you have flood insurance today, before you need it. If you are in a flood zone, your mortgage lender may require it. Even if you are not in a high-risk zone, consider purchasing a policy because about 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas.
If you experience flood damage, file separate claims with your homeowner insurer and your flood insurer. Document the damage thoroughly, noting which damage appears to be from wind versus rising water.
See how this applies to your property
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