California Flood Insurance: What Homeowners Should Know
Most homeowners learn the difference between water damage and flood damage only after a loss. It is cheaper to learn it now. This is general information, not advice about your policy, and it does not refer to any current weather event.
Standard homeowners policies and flood
The California Department of Insurance states that standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood coverage is bought separately, which means the time to find out what you have is before any loss, not after. The department's flood facts page explains the basics and is the place to confirm current details.
The waiting period
Flood insurance generally has to be in force for a waiting period before a flood for a claim to apply, with limited exceptions. In practice that means a policy bought when a storm is already forecast may not help with that storm.
Where flood coverage comes from
Flood policies are available through the federal National Flood Insurance Program and from private insurers. Coverage limits, what is and is not covered (such as contents versus the building) and cost differ, so compare policies rather than assuming. Lenders can require flood insurance for certain federally backed mortgages in higher-risk zones.
Questions to ask your agent
- Is flood damage covered under my current policy, and what is excluded?
- Do I have, or could I buy, a separate flood policy, and what is the waiting period?
- What does the building coverage include, and what does contents coverage include?
- What documentation will you need if I have a loss?
Keep records now
Photographs and a list of belongings, kept somewhere safe, make any future claim conversation easier. Ready.gov's flood guidance covers preparing and what to keep on hand.
What we can and cannot tell you
We are a general contractor, not an insurance adjuster, and we cannot tell you whether a claim will be covered. If water has already entered a home, see our guide to starting with a plan. Questions about your policy are for your insurer, and the department's consumer hotline can help with coverage or claim questions.