Flooding is common throughout many areas of the country, including in California. Whether due to a tidal surge, rising river, storm or earthquake, floods can cause significant damage to your home and personal belongings. It is important to know that most homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood damage, so you'll need additional coverage to fully protect yourself and your property. 

The state of California does not require homeowners to have flood insurance, but many mortgage lenders do. If you took out a home loan to buy your property, your lender may stipulate that you must have flood insurance in addition to your standard homeowner insurance as a condition of your loan. You'll need to follow your lender's requirements until your loan is paid back in full. Even after that, it is smart to maintain your homeowner insurance and flood insurance to give yourself and your property the legal and financial protection you deserve. 

How Flood Insurance Works 

Flood coverage applies to any damage to your home, property and belongings that is the direct result of flooding. Whether your home was completely flooded or only partially affected, this coverage can come into play. It can apply to the costs of repairing the water damage and even rebuilding your entire home and replacing all of your belongings if needed. Of course, the amount of coverage you'll have will depend on the limits you select. You may also need to pay a deductible, or a portion of the costs, before your insurance plan kicks in to cover the rest. 

Flood Insurance Exclusions 

While flood coverage takes care of most damage due to flooding, there are some exceptions. For example, if a flood triggers a landslide and it is that landslide that destroys your home, your flood insurance likely will not cover it. For that, you'd need separate coverage. Similarly, sinkholes and other destabilizations are typically not covered under flood insurance, even if the water accumulation from the flood led to the formation of the sinkhole. Be sure to review your policy carefully to identify any potential gaps. Umbrella insurance can help you make up the difference by covering a much broader swath of damage categories. 

Protect Your California Home Against Floods 

At PolicyNow Insurance Services, we are proud to assist our clients with obtaining adequate flood insurance to protect their homes in California. We welcome you to reach out to us at any time to learn more about this important coverage type. Our friendly team members are always happy to help. Call today to get started.

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