How Do I Add Flood Insurance to My Existing Homeowners Insurance? 

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that standard homeowners insurance does not include coverage for flood damage. If your area is at risk (even from heavy rain, overflowing rivers, or sudden runoff), it may be time to consider adding flood insurance as a separate layer of coverage.

Understanding the Gap in Standard Policies

Homeowners insurance typically covers water damage that comes from inside your home, like a burst pipe or an overflowing appliance. But it doesn’t cover damage caused by rising water or flash floods, whether from storms, snowmelt or other water intrusion. That’s where flood insurance comes in.

Flood insurance is often purchased separately through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private carrier. If you already have a homeowners policy, adding flood coverage doesn’t mean changing your entire plan; it just means expanding your protection to include a risk that isn’t currently addressed.

Steps to Get Started

Your insurance agent can help assess your home’s flood risk (based on FEMA maps or local data) and provide quotes for available policies. Some areas may qualify for lower-cost coverage if they are in lower-risk zones, even if they’re not completely flood-free.

You’ll typically choose between building coverage, contents coverage or both. Building coverage focuses on your home’s structure, while contents coverage applies to belongings such as furniture, appliances and electronics.

Remember that most flood insurance policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins. Explore your options before storm season or extreme weather is on the radar.

Learn More

Integrity Insurance Agency Inc can help you take the next step toward adding flood coverage to your existing homeowners policy. Contact us at our Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, office today to learn more about your options and how they apply to your property.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.