What Is the Difference Between Flood Insurance and Home Insurance?

A standard home insurance policy typically covers water damage that happens suddenly and accidentally inside your home. This includes a broken pipe, an overflowing washing machine, or a leaking water heater. It also covers the structure and your belongings up to the limits in your policy.

Home insurance does not cover gradual damage from neglect, such as a slow leak that rots wood over months. It also excludes flooding from outside sources. If a river rises or heavy rain seeps through the foundation, that is usually not covered under a standard policy.

The main difference is the source of water. Home insurance covers water that originates inside your home, like from plumbing or appliances. Flood insurance covers water that comes from outside, like rain or rivers.

Another difference is how claims are handled. A home insurance claim for a burst pipe is usually straightforward. A flood claim requires proof that the water entered from outside and that the cause was a flood event, not gradual seepage.

Check your policy to understand what is excluded. If you live in a flood-prone area, consider a separate flood policy even if it is not required. Keep your policy documents and a home inventory in a safe place.

Maintain your plumbing and roof to reduce the chance of internal leaks. Keep your shutoff valve location written down. The local climate, with cold winters and warm summers, can stress your home's systems.

• Review your policy each year
• Know your flood zone risk
• Store a home inventory list
• Test your sump pump regularly
• Clean gutters and downspouts
• Document any water damage with photos