Do California Homeowners Really Need Flood Insurance?

As a California homeowner, you may be used to clear and sunny weather conditions. However, given ongoing climate changes and unpredictable weather patterns, you must be mindful of changing risks and perils. These adjustments should be reflected in your insurance portfolio, as standard homeowners insurance may not be sufficient to ensure comprehensive coverage for your property and belongings. Additional coverage, such as flood insurance, may be needed.

What Is Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance is a specialized form of coverage designed to financially protect policyholders from the monetary ramifications of floods. Whether arising from heavy rains, overflowing bodies of water, rapid snowmelt or other incidents, floodwater entering your property can quickly ravage your home and start a torrent of financial losses. These incidents are also not generally included as covered perils in standard homeowners insurance, meaning that a specialized flood insurance policy is an increasingly important necessity.

What Can My Policy Cover?

By having suitable flood insurance, you may be able to absorb and recover from various financial losses, such as the following:

• Building damage, such as if floodwaters damage the foundations, floors, roof and walls of your home
• Lost or damaged possessions, such as if furniture, electronics or other belongings stored in an insured building are adversely impacted by a flood
• Cleanup costs, such as if a flood leaves behind debris that must be discarded

Why Is Flood Insurance Needed?

Flood coverage should be considered essential for all homeowners. In some cases, you may even be mandated to carry coverage. Consider your situation and if the following formal requirements may apply:

• If you are in a high-risk area and have a mortgage with a federally regulated company, you’re typically required to carry coverage.
• If you’ve received aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency following a flood in the past, you’ll need to have insurance to be eligible for future assistance.

Even if one of the aforementioned statements does not apply to you, flood insurance can be critical. Without it, a single flooding event could inflict irreparable damage on your home and leave you without the means to repair, restore or rebuild.

We’re Here to Help

Contact JSW Insurance today to learn more about flood coverage or compare personalized quotes.

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.