Flood insurance is a separate policy that covers damage from rising water, storm surge, and certain mudflow, because standard home, condo, and renters policies exclude flood. Coverage may come through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer, and most policies carry a 30-day waiting period, so it should be arranged before a storm approaches.
Flood damage is not covered by standard home, condo, or renters policies, so it takes a separate flood policy. From coastal storms to post-wildfire mudflow and flash flooding, California properties face flood risk far beyond mapped high-hazard zones. We help you understand your exposure and secure the right flood protection.
Flood Coverage Is Not Included in Standard Homeowners Policies
Flood insurance must be purchased as a separate, stand-alone policy.
When Flood Insurance Is Required or Optional
Who needs flood insurance? Owners in or near mapped flood zones, including those with a lender requirement; properties below or near hillsides burned by recent wildfires; homeowners in low-lying or coastal areas of California; and renters and condo owners who want to protect contents from flood.
Standard home, condo, and renters policies exclude flood, so coverage comes from a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer. Most flood policies carry a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins, so buying before a storm approaches is important. In California, wildfire burn scars can sharply raise flood and mudflow risk downhill for years afterward, and much flood damage happens outside high-risk zones.
