If you haven’t gotten flood insurance yet, now’s the time

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Your house has never flooded. You have a homeowner’s insurance policy. You're thinking, “I’m covered.” Well, maybe not.

Many Texas residents may believe they don’t need to buy flood insurance. They don't live in a high-risk flood zone. But if Ike, Harvey, Tax Day, Memorial Day, and the derecho taught us anything, it's that flooding can happen anywhere, often to the surprise of residents who thought they were covered for disaster.

When flooding happens, the damage is not covered by most homeowners’ insurance policies. And just one inch of floodwater can cause in excess of $25,000 worth of damage in a home.

Before a community is eligible for federal disaster assistance, it must be designated a federal disaster area. This happens in less than 50 percent of flooding incidents. The main form of federal assistance after a federally declared disaster is a loan that must be repaid with interest , typically through the Small Business Association.

Property owners can protect themselves from financial losses by having a flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flood insurance coverage is available regardless of federal disaster declarations. Insurance for contents is also available to homeowners and renters. There is a 30-day waiting period before new policies go into effect, an important consideration during hurricane season. In other words, do it now; you may not know, but we’ve already had another tropical storm – Chris – hit the Gulf since Beryl, and there are plenty of storm names left.

Statewide, 653,309 policyholders in Texas hold $197 billion in coverage but many people have no flood coverage. Residents can purchase a flood insurance policy if their community participates in the NFIP, no matter their flood risk. Even in areas that are not flood-prone, insurance is a good idea. People outside of high-risk areas file more than 25 percent of NFIP claims.

Coverage is available for residential and commercial buildings and contents:

• Up to $250,000 in building coverage and up to $100,000 in contents coverage for single-to-four family residential structures.
• Up to $500,000 in building coverage and up to $100,000 in contents coverage for five-or-more family residential structures.
• Up to $500,000 in building coverage and up to $500,000 in contents coverage for businesses.

To purchase policy, contact your insurance company or agent. If you need help finding a provider, go to FloodSmart.gov/flood-insurance-provider or call the NFIP at 877-336-2627. In addition to the NFIP, flood insurance is also available from some private insurance providers. For an agent referral, call 800-427-4661 or visit FloodSmart.gov.

For more information about Texas disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4781. Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x.com/FEMARegion6 and on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.