Should I Purchase Flood Insurance If I’m Not in a Flood Zone?

Insurance Neighbor • August 16, 2023

Share this article

Modern living room with a gray sofa, blue rug, floor lamp, wall shelves, and a tufted ottoman.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

Two types of flood insurance are available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP):

  • Building coverage: This protects you against damage from flooding to your foundation walls, staircases, anchorage systems, furnaces, water heaters, electrical systems, plumbing systems, refrigerators, stoves, built-in appliances such as dishwashers, permanently installed carpeting, cabinets, paneling, permanently installed bookcases, window blinds, solar energy equipment, well water tanks and pumps, fuel tanks, and detached garages.
  • Contents coverage: This insurance covers personal belongings, such as furniture, clothing, electronic equipment, washers and dryers, curtains, microwave ovens, portable and window air conditioners, carpets not included in the building coverage, and valuable items, such as furs or artwork.

Flood insurance will not cover damage that is not the direct result of flooding. For example, damage from sewage backup is not covered unless flooding directly causes the backup.

When Can You Buy Flood Insurance?

You can purchase federal flood insurance if your community participates in the NFIP. For properties located within the areas with the most significant risk of flooding, known as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), under the National Flood Insurance Act, lenders must require borrowers to buy flood insurance to receive federally-backed loans. You can purchase flood insurance at any time. After you have paid the premium, there is a 30-day waiting period before the policy goes into effect, except when:

  • The initial purchase of flood insurance is in connection with making, extending, increasing, or renewing a loan; or
  • The initial purchase of flood insurance is made during one year following adoption of a revised Flood Insurance Rate Map for a community, in which case the waiting period is one day.

If you purchase flood insurance when you buy your home, there is no waiting period before coverage goes into effect.

What Type of Flooding Does NFIP Cover?

When the surface of normally dry land is partially inundated, and two or more adjacent properties or two or more acres are affected, it is considered flooding covered by NFIP. This can be caused by:

  • Unusual, rapid accumulation of runoff of surface water from any source, such as heavy rainfall
  • Overflow of inland or tidal waters
  • Collapse or destabilization of land along a lakeshore or other body of water caused by erosion or the effects of waves
  • Mudslides or mudflows comparable to rivers of liquid, flowing mud caused by flooding
  • Water currents exceeding normal cyclic levels

Flood insurance is not only for people who live in flood zones. Our friendly agent can help you obtain a policy to protect your home from flooding.

Recent Posts

White boat docked beside a white camper on a grassy lakeshore under a cloudy sky.
By Insurance Neighbor • August 16, 2026
Summer is peak season for recreational vehicles. Whether you're out on the water with a boat, exploring the country in an RV, or hitting a trail on an ATV, August brings some of the highest usage of the year for these vehicles, and that makes it a great time to make sure your insurance coverage is in order. Many people assume their standard auto or…
Man reviewing papers at a café table with a laptop, smartphone, and white chair beside him
By Insurance Neighbor • August 4, 2026
What general liability insurance covers and why every Albany, NY small business needs it. V. Mathis Insurance Agency, 20+ years local. Request a quote today.
Two people sitting in a car, one driving and one in the passenger seat, both smiling.
By Insurance Neighbor • August 1, 2026
Every August, millions of families prepare for back-to-school, and for households with a newly licensed teen, that checklist includes an important question: Is your auto insurance ready? Adding a teenager to your auto insurance policy is one of the most significant coverage changes a family can make. Teen drivers are statistically among the highest-risk drivers on the road, which affects both your coverage needs and…
White cargo van driving down a palm-lined residential street at dusk.
By Insurance Neighbor • July 19, 2026
Whether your business relies on a single work truck or a fleet of delivery vans, the vehicles you use for business purposes likely need more than a standard personal auto insurance policy. Commercial auto insurance is designed to cover vehicles used for business operations and can provide protections that personal policies typically do not. Understanding the difference between the two can help business owners avoid…
Two people carrying boxes up stairs in a bright apartment during a move
By Insurance Neighbor • July 16, 2026
If you rent your home, apartment, or condo, you may assume that your landlord's insurance policy protects your belongings. Unfortunately, that's a common misconception—and a costly one. A landlord's insurance policy typically covers the physical structure of the building but not the personal property of the people who live in it. Renters insurance is designed to fill that gap, and it's often more affordable than…
Two coworkers collaborating at a desk with dual monitors in a bright office
By Insurance Neighbor • July 4, 2026
When most people think of cyberattacks, they picture large corporations making headline news after a major data breach. But the reality is that small businesses are frequent targets of cybercriminals—and often less prepared to handle the financial and operational fallout. Cyber liability insurance is designed to help businesses manage the costs associated with data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other cyber incidents. If your business stores…
Two men in a car, one driving and one in the back seat drinking from a bottle
By Insurance Neighbor • July 1, 2026
Rideshare driving has become a popular way for millions of Americans to earn extra income. Whether you drive for a transportation network company full time or just on weekends, it's important to understand how your auto insurance applies—and where it may fall short. Many drivers are surprised to learn that their personal auto insurance policy may not cover them while they're working on a rideshare…
Person writing at a desk in a workshop, with boxes and tools on the walls and a laptop nearby.
By Insurance Neighbor • June 18, 2026
If you own a small or medium-sized business, you've probably heard the term "Business Owner's Policy" or BOP. It's one of the most common types of commercial insurance, but many business owners aren't sure exactly what it includes — or whether it's the right fit for their needs. Here's a clear breakdown. What Does a BOP Include? A Business Owner's Policy typically combines three core…
Two people laughing in a car, one driving and one clapping, with bright sunlight streaming in.
By Insurance Neighbor • June 16, 2026
School is out, the days are longer, and millions of Americans are gearing up for summer road trips. Before you load up the car and point it toward the horizon, it's worth taking a few minutes to understand what your auto insurance covers — and where the gaps might be. Does Your Current Coverage Travel With You? Good news: your personal auto insurance generally follows…
Person in apron writing on a clipboard at an outdoor coffee cart
By Insurance Neighbor • June 4, 2026
For many businesses, summer is the busiest and most profitable time of year. From restaurants and retail shops to contractors and event venues, the warmer months bring increased foot traffic, more employees, and new operational challenges. That also means new risks — and it's worth making sure your business insurance is ready for the season ahead. Increased Foot Traffic and Premises Liability More customers on…
Show More