Does Flood Insurance Cover Hurricanes?

You may already be aware that your homeowners insurance policy doesn't cover water damage caused by natural flooding, such as heavy rainfall from hurricanes. Even if you already have a separate flood insurance policy, it's critical to understand how exactly it can cover your home against hurricane damage or destruction. Flood insurance can provide reimbursement for many disasters resulting from hurricanes, but not all.

A local independent insurance agent can help you find the right flood insurance if you're still in need. They'll help ensure you get matched to a policy with the ideal amount of coverage for your home and personal property. First, though, here's a closer look at how and when flood insurance covers hurricanes.

Does Flood Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage?

Yes, flood insurance can cover certain types of damage to your home and personal property caused by hurricanes. Flood insurance can protect your home's:

Contents: Your flood insurance policy can reimburse you for the actual cash value (which factors in depreciation) of your personal property or contents (e.g., silverware, clothing, etc.) if it's damaged or destroyed by natural floodwaters from hurricanes.
Structure: Your flood insurance policy can also reimburse you for damage or destruction to your home's structure, or dwelling, caused by floodwaters from hurricanes. Replacement cost coverage of at least 80% of the home's value is typically available.

Your independent insurance agent can further explain how flood insurance can cover losses to your home's contents and dwelling caused by hurricanes.

When Does Flood Insurance Cover Water Damage Caused by Hurricanes?

It's critical to understand that flood insurance doesn't cover all types of water damage, even from hurricanes. Flood insurance is designed to cover direct physical damage that comes from a flood. An example of water damage that's classified as a direct result of flooding by an insurance company would be heavy rain or an overflowing river that causes flash flooding. If the flash flooding damaged your home or its contents, your flood insurance would likely cover the claim.

When Doesn't Flood Insurance Cover Water Damage Caused by Hurricanes?

Flood insurance isn't designed to cover damage caused by wind-driven rain. For example, if strong winds caused rain to enter your home, leading to water damage, this would not likely be covered by flood insurance. That's because the water damage would be considered by the insurance company to have resulted from wind damage. Similarly, if the wind from a hurricane damaged your home's roof to the point that water entered the structure and caused damage internally, this kind of claim is also unlikely to be covered by flood insurance.

What Else Isn't Covered by Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance won't cover any water damage due to busted pipes or broken appliances, but your home insurance probably will. Additionally, flood insurance won't cover water damage to your home caused by a leaking or damaged swimming pool.

Here are a few additional things not usually covered by flood insurance:

Small floods: Flood insurance companies consider a covered flood an incident that affects at least two acres of normally dry land, or that affects at least one other property.
Landscaping: Your gardens, flower beds, shrubs, trees, etc., aren't likely to be covered by flood insurance, even if they're damaged by natural flooding.
Preventable mold or mildew: If your home suffers from mold or mildew damage that you, as the homeowner, could've prevented, your flood insurance is unlikely to cover removal or remediation costs.
Money and other important papers: Cash, other types of currency, stock certificates, precious metals, and other important or valuable papers are unlikely to be covered by flood insurance.
Contents stored in the basement: Flood insurance also typically won't cover personal property kept in a basement or any other place in the home that's below the lowest elevated floor.
Home improvements: If you've updated your home below the ground level, such as finishing a basement, flood insurance likely won't cover the improvements.
Business interruptions: Flood insurance typically won't cover the cost of business interruption if you operate an in-home business.
Additional living expenses: Flood insurance typically also won't cover additional living expenses, such as if you need to stay in a hotel room temporarily while your home undergoes repairs after a flood.

What Kind of Coverage Protects My Car from Hurricane Damage?

If you want to protect your car against hurricane damage, you won't have coverage under a flood insurance policy. Instead, you'll need to ensure your auto insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage. Your car insurance's comprehensive coverage can reimburse you for damage or destruction to your vehicle from many kinds of natural disasters, including hurricanes.

Comprehensive insurance can also provide reimbursement for many other perils, including theft and vandalism of your vehicle and collisions with large animals like deer. An independent insurance agent can help you add comprehensive insurance to your auto policy.

An Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You Get Covered Against Hurricanes

When you're ready to protect your home or business against flood damage stemming from hurricanes, no one's better equipped to help than an independent insurance agent. These agents have access to multiple flood insurance companies near you, and they're free to shop and compare policies and rates to find you the best deal. And down the road, your agent can help you update your coverage and even file claims for you when necessary.

Find an Independent Agent

Find an Insurance Company

What type of insurance do you need?

Business Type

Business Articles

Auto & Vehicle Insurance

Property Insurance

Other Insurance

Insurance Solutions & Resources