Does standard homeowner's insurance cover flood damage?

No, standard homeowner's insurance typically does not cover flood damage. Homeowners need to purchase separate flood insurance policies to ensure they are covered in the event of a flood.

Why should homeowners consider flood insurance outside of high-risk zones?

Lori Callahan highlights that approximately 40% of flood insurance claims come from outside high-risk zones. This statistic underlines the unpredictable nature of floods and the importance of flood insurance, regardless of location.

What are some preventive measures homeowners can take against flooding?

Homeowners can install French drains, clean gutters, seal foundation cracks, and add sump pumps with battery backup. These measures can mitigate risks and enhance home protection against probable flood damage.

What Businesses and Homeowners Should Know...

What Businesses and Homeowners Should Know About Flood Protection

Many homeowners don’t realize that standard homeowner’s insurance excludes flood protection. That’s a risk worth correcting fast. Lori Callahan, Assistant VP and Account Executive for Personal Lines at B.F. Saul Insurance, stresses the importance of proactive flood coverage. “About 40% of flood insurance claims come from outside high-risk zones,” she explains. Because of that, her…

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Business Services teams put it to work with Executive Thought Leadership.

By Building Management · August 19, 2025, 5:08 PM UTCBms CatDrainage SystemsEmergency PreparednessExcess Flood Coverage

Key takeaways

Standard homeowner's insurance usually excludes flood protection.

Proactive flood policy acquisition and property protection are crucial.

Adaptive measures like drainage correction can prevent damage.

Beyond securing the right policy, Callahan emphasizes preventative steps to safeguard your property. Walk your yard after rain and watch for puddling or standing water. If you find drainage issues, installing French drains or extra piping can redirect water away from your home’s foundation. Regularly cleaning gutters, sealing cracks in the foundation or basement walls, and adding a sump pump with battery backup are simple yet effective defenses against flood damage.

It’s also crucial to plan in advance. Flood protection isn’t a snap decision just before a storm. NFIP policies require a 30-day waiting period, while private policies typically take 7 to 10 days to activate. Standard coverage offers $250,000 for building structure and $100,000 for contents. If you own a higher-value property, enhancing coverage through private insurers can give you access to more protection, including coverage for finished basements and valuable belongings.

Lori Callahan’s advice is clear: prepare today for peace of mind tomorrow and ensure your home is protected from rising water before it’s too late.

Explore More Expert Insights and Flood Protection Tips on the BMS CAT Channel!

Video TranscriptExpand ↓

Many homeowners are unaware of flood damage is excluded from their homeowner policy and must be purchased as a separate policy through the national flood insurance program or a private flood insurance carrier. Approximately forty percent of the flood insurance claims originate from areas outside of a high risk flood zone. Our agency recommends considering flood coverage regardless of your flood zone. We also recommend the following proactive steps to assist with keeping floodwaters out and away from your home. First, walk around the property after a rainstorm and look for puddling or stanling water. If any of the water is puddling, consider adding additional drainage pipes or French drains to redirect that water away from the foundation. Maintain your gutter and downspouts and seal cracks or openings in your foundation and basement walls. Possibly consider installing a sump pump with a battery backup to remove water coming into the basement. Keep in mind, flood insurance cannot be purchased as a right before a predicted storm event. And if I P policies have a thirty day waiting period and your national private flood policies have a seven to ten day waiting period. Primary flood coverages offer two hundred and fifty thousand structure coverage and a hundred thousand of contents coverage. If you have a higher value home, you may want to consider purchasing additional excess flood coverage. Private flood insurance carriers may also offer additional coverages for finished basements and contents.

About the author

Building Management

What Businesses and Homeowners Should Know About Flood Protection

Explore More Expert Insights and Flood Protection Tips on the BMS CAT Channel!

You just read one expert. Imagine publishing your whole team.

Explore Channels

More from Business Services