Flood Insurance
Most homeowners and renters in California assume their existing insurance policy covers flood damage. It does not. Standard homeowners insurance and renters insurance specifically exclude flooding, which means if a flood damages your home or belongings, you are on your own unless you have a separate flood insurance policy.
In Southern California, flooding is more common than most people realize. Heavy rainstorms, overflowing rivers and channels, and water runoff from hillsides after wildfires can all cause significant flood damage in areas that are not traditionally considered high-risk. At Ibrahim Insurance Agency in Corona, CA, we help homeowners, renters, and business owners throughout the Inland Empire understand their flood risk and find the right coverage.
What Does Flood Insurance Cover?
Building Coverage
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Building coverage pays to repair or replace the physical structure of your home or building including the foundation, walls, floors, roof, electrical and plumbing systems, HVAC systems, built-in appliances, and permanently installed carpeting and flooring.
Contents Coverage
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Contents coverage protects your personal belongings including furniture, electronics, clothing, and other personal items that are damaged or destroyed by flooding. This is separate from building coverage and must be purchased in addition to it.
What Is Considered a Flood?
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For insurance purposes, a flood is defined as a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land or of two or more properties. This includes overflow of inland or tidal waters, unusual and rapid accumulation of surface waters from any source, mudflow, and collapse of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of water.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. Standard homeowners insurance specifically excludes flood damage. You need a separate flood insurance policy to be covered for flooding.
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NFIP flood insurance has a standard 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. Some private flood policies have shorter waiting periods. Do not wait until a storm is forecast to purchase coverage.
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It is not required by state law. However, if you have a federally backed mortgage and your property is in a designated high-risk flood zone, your lender is required to make you purchase flood insurance.
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Yes. Renters can purchase flood insurance to cover their personal belongings even if the building owner has their own flood policy. The building owner's policy does not cover your personal property.
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Contact your insurance agent immediately, document all damage with photos and video before cleaning up, and do not make permanent repairs until an adjuster has inspected the damage. Keep all receipts for any emergency repairs or temporary housing costs.