A homeowners policy does not cover flood, and a flood policy usually takes time to start. You can weigh the waiting period and your federal and private options before a storm is in the forecast.
A new flood policy usually takes 30 days to start. The main exception is when it is bought with a new or refinanced mortgage. Do not wait for a storm forecast.
The Water in the Basement
How a flood loss unfolds.
An illustrated basement with water on the floor and a sump pump. No people.
The basement
What is kept here
The sump
Rain
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Flood insurance is a separate policy, from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer. A federal flood policy has two parts, and you can buy the second one separately from the first.
The building.
The house and its foundation, the electrical system, central air conditioning, the furnace and water heater, built in appliances, and permanently installed wallboard and cabinets.
Your belongings.
Clothing, furniture, electronics, curtains, washers and dryers, and freezers and the food in them.
What counts as a flood.
In general terms, an excess of water on land that is normally dry.
What Do I Need to Get a Flood Insurance Quote?
You can start with what you already know. A photo of your homeowners declarations page is fine.
The date.
A new federal policy usually starts 30 days after the application and payment. When it is bought with a new, increased, extended or renewed loan, it can start at loan closing.
The building.
How it is built, how many floors it has, its foundation type and what it would cost to rebuild.
An elevation certificate, if you have one.
It is optional, and providing one may lower the federal premium. Some private insurers may not require one.
Your lender’s letter.
If your lender requires flood coverage, the letter says so.
How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost?
The price depends on the property, not only on a flood map.
Distance to water.
How close the building is to a flood source.
How often it floods there.
Flood frequency and the kinds of flooding the area sees.
The building.
Its construction, number of floors, foundation and cost to rebuild.
Flood claims history.
Past flood claims on the property.
Federal or private.
Private policies set their own prices and terms.
How Much Flood Insurance Do I Need?
Start with what it would cost to rebuild the building, then what it would cost to replace what is inside.
Federal building limits.
Up to $250,000 for a one to four family home, and $500,000 for other residential or non residential buildings.
Federal contents limits.
Up to $100,000 for residential property and $500,000 for non residential property.
Above the federal limits.
Private flood insurers tend to offer higher coverage limits and optional coverage.
Common Gaps in Flood Coverage
These gaps sit in the wording of a standard flood policy. Knowing them before a storm lets you decide what to add.
Waiting for the forecast.
A new federal policy usually takes 30 days to start.
The basement.
Basement coverage is limited. A furnace, water heater or sump pump is covered, but finished floors and walls, couches and televisions are not. Write down the model and serial numbers of basement equipment before a flood.
Building only.
Belongings are a separate part of the policy. If you did not buy it, they are not covered.
Outside the house.
Decks, patios, fences, pools and trees are not covered.
A place to stay.
Living expenses such as temporary housing are not covered by a flood policy.
The claim.
Report a claim within the time your policy sets. A public adjuster charges fees, and the state insurance department can confirm whether one is licensed.
Flood Insurance as Part of Your Full Program
Your flood policy sits beside your other policies, and each one answers a different kind of water.
Water from leaky pipes, siding and roofs is likely covered, but ground water from rain, run off or snow melt is not. Sewer or drain backup is an add on to the homeowners policy.
The Insurance Department says one inch of water in a home can cause more than $25,000 of damage.
The Insurance Department says more than 25 percent of flood claims come from properties outside high risk areas.
Under Public Act 25-33, homeowners, renters, dwelling fire and condo policies effective on or after July 1, 2026 must carry a clear notice that flood is not covered.
Inland flooding, sewer backup, groundwater seepage and sump pump failure are named Connecticut flood risks, not only coastal storms.
A car damaged by a storm in a garage is usually a claim on the auto policy’s comprehensive coverage, not the homeowners policy.
No. Standard homeowners, renters and business policies do not cover flood. Flood insurance is a separate policy available from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer.
What is the difference between private flood insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program?
The federal program sets its own limits, and its building coverage tops out at $250,000 for a one to four family home. Private insurers tend to offer higher coverage limits and optional coverage. Which option fits depends on the property and on what your lender accepts.
How long before a new flood policy starts?
A new National Flood Insurance Program policy usually starts 30 days after the application and payment. When flood coverage is bought with a new, increased, extended or renewed loan, it can start at loan closing. Private policies set their own start dates, so the effective date is confirmed with you before you bind coverage.
Does flood insurance cover my basement?
Only in part. Equipment such as a furnace, water heater or sump pump is covered, but finished floors and walls and the furniture and electronics kept there are not.
Do I need flood insurance if I am not in a flood zone?
Flood claims also come from properties outside high risk areas, as the state facts on this page describe. Federally regulated lenders require it for a loan on a building in a special flood hazard area. You can ask us to review your property’s flood risk with you.
Does flood insurance cover sewer backup?
Sewer or drain backup is an optional add on to a homeowners policy, and flood is a separate policy. You can ask which policy responds to which loss.
How much is flood insurance?
The premium depends on the property. The federal program prices by factors such as flood frequency, distance to water sources, rebuilding cost and multiple flood types. A quote request gives you a figure for your property.
Flood Coverage Is Easier to Arrange Before a Storm.
A new federal policy usually starts 30 days after the application and payment, so a dry week is the time to compare federal and private options for your home. Every kind of personal coverage is on the Personal Insurance page.
