— The SkyBlue Way
Your Homeowners Policy Isn’t the Whole Story.
A homeowner can have excellent Homeowners Insurance and still have a significant gap when it comes to flooding.
That’s because Homeowners Insurance and Flood Insurance are different policies designed to protect against different risks.
We Listen
Tell us about your property, location and current insurance.
We Shop
Your Sky-Agent® helps you explore available Flood Insurance options for your situation.
You Choose
We explain the available options and how Flood Insurance works alongside your other property coverage. You decide what protection is right for your home.
THE COVERAGE GAP MANY HOMEOWNERS MISS
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Flooding?
Generally, standard Homeowners Insurance does not cover damage caused by flooding. A Homeowners policy may cover certain types of water damage depending on what caused the loss, but water entering your home because of a flood is a different exposure.
Having Homeowners Insurance doesn’t necessarily mean you’re insured against a flood.
WHAT COUNTS AS A FLOOD?
Not Every Type of Water Damage Is the Same.
For Flood Insurance purposes, whether a loss qualifies as a covered flood depends on the policy definition and circumstances.
Flooding can result from events such as:
- Heavy or prolonged rainfall
- Overflowing rivers, streams or other bodies of water
- Storm surge and coastal flooding
- Rapid accumulation of surface water
- Other qualifying flood events
That’s different from certain water losses that may originate inside the home, which may instead fall under Homeowners coverage depending on the cause and policy.
Where the water came from can make a major difference in which policy responds.
PROTECTING THE STRUCTURE
What Can Building Coverage Protect?
For an eligible covered flood loss, building coverage can help protect the physical structure of your home and certain permanently installed property.
Depending on the policy, eligible building property can include:
- Foundation and structural components
- Electrical and plumbing systems
- Furnaces and water heaters
- Central air-conditioning equipment
- Permanently installed cabinets
- Certain built-in appliances
- Other eligible building property
Coverage can differ depending on the property, policy and where an item is located. NFIP coverage for property in basements is specifically limited, so do not assume everything below grade is covered in the same way as property elsewhere in the home.
DON’T FORGET WHAT’S INSIDE
Building Coverage and Contents Coverage Are Different.
Protecting the structure isn’t necessarily the same thing as protecting everything you own inside it.
Flood Insurance may provide separate coverage for eligible personal belongings, depending on the policy and coverage selected.
Eligible contents may include:
- Furniture
- Clothing
- Certain electronics
- Certain appliances
- Other covered personal property
Protecting the house and protecting what’s inside the house are two different conversations.
Your Sky-Agent® can help you understand the available building and contents coverage and the limits that apply.
NFIP & PRIVATE FLOOD INSURANCE
More Than One Way to Buy Flood Insurance.
Flood Insurance isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all product.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
For eligible one-to-four-family residential properties under the NFIP’s Dwelling Form, current maximum limits are generally $250,000 for building coverage and $100,000 for contents coverage.
Private Flood Insurance
Private insurance companies may offer different coverage limits, deductible options, underwriting requirements and policy features than the NFIP.
Excess Flood Insurance
NFIP. Private Flood. Excess Flood. Your Sky-Agent® can help you explore the available options.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIVE ON THE COAST
Flood Risk Isn’t Limited to the Beach.
Flooding can happen well beyond coastal areas. Heavy rainfall, overflowing waterways, drainage problems and other events can create flood losses in places people may not think of as traditionally high-risk.
Not being required to carry Flood Insurance doesn’t mean you have no flood risk. A lower-risk flood zone doesn’t mean zero flood risk.
FLOOD ZONES & MORTGAGES
When Is Flood Insurance Required?
If a building securing certain federally regulated or insured mortgage loans is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), federal flood-insurance purchase requirements can apply. Higher-risk SFHAs are generally shown on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps in zones beginning with A or V.
A lender may also require Flood Insurance even when federal law does not.
“Not required” and “not at risk” don’t mean the same thing.
DON’T WAIT FOR THE STORM
Flood Insurance May Have a Waiting Period.
NFIP policies generally have a waiting period before new coverage becomes effective, with specific exceptions under FEMA rules. Private Flood Insurance waiting periods can vary by insurance company and policy.
The time to think about Flood Insurance is before water is headed your way.
HOMEOWNERS + FLOOD
Two Policies. Two Different Jobs.
Your Homeowners policy and Flood Insurance can work alongside one another because they’re designed for different types of losses.
Homeowners Insurance
Flood Insurance
Don’t Just Insure the Home. Understand the Gaps.
RENTERS NEED TO THINK ABOUT FLOOD TOO
You Don’t Have to Own the Building to Have Something to Lose.
If you rent your home, your landlord insuring the building doesn’t necessarily protect your personal belongings against flood damage. Eligible renters may be able to purchase Flood Insurance for covered contents.
Rent the home? Protect what’s yours.
MOBILE & MANUFACTURED HOMES
Flood Protection Isn’t Only for Site-Built Homes.
If you own an eligible Mobile or Manufactured Home, Flood Insurance may be available to help protect against covered flood losses.
Coverage requirements can differ depending on the home, location, foundation or anchoring and insurance program. Tell your Sky-Agent® what kind of home you own and where it’s located. We’ll help you explore the available Flood Insurance options.
PRICE & RISK
How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost?
There isn’t one standard price for Flood Insurance. The cost can depend on the property, location, amount of coverage, deductible, flood risk and insurance program.
For NFIP policies, current risk-based pricing considers characteristics of the individual property and its flood exposure rather than relying solely on a flood-zone designation. Private Flood Insurance companies may evaluate the same property differently.
That’s another reason it can make sense to explore your available options rather than assume there’s only one way to insure against flood.
YOUR FLOOD ZONE ISN’T YOUR WHOLE STORY
Flood Zone Matters. But So Does the Property.
Your flood zone can be important—especially when determining certain lender requirements—but it isn’t necessarily the only factor affecting your Flood Insurance options or price.
Instead of only asking, “What flood zone am I in?” also ask, “What is my actual flood exposure, and what would it cost to protect against it?”
NFIP OR PRIVATE FLOOD?
Which Flood Insurance Option Is Right for You?
NFIP May Offer
Private Flood May Offer
- Different coverage limits
- Different deductible options
- Different underwriting requirements
- Additional or broader available coverage features
- Different waiting-period provisions
Excess Flood May Offer
You don’t need to become a Flood Insurance expert. That’s what your Sky-Agent® is here for.
Tell us about the property and the protection you’re looking for. We’ll help you explore the available options.
WHY SKYBLUE
A Better Way to Shop for Flood Insurance.
More Than One Possible Solution
We Look Beyond the Flood Zone
Building & Contents
Homeowners + Flood
Mobile & Manufactured Homes
Licensed Nationwide
Real Human Help
Understand the Risk. Explore the Options. Protect What Matters.
THE SKY-AGENT® DIFFERENCE
Flood Insurance Doesn’t Have to Be Confusing.
Flood zones. NFIP. Private Flood. Building coverage. Contents coverage. Waiting periods. There’s a lot to understand. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
A Sky-Agent® can help explain the available options in plain language and help you shop for Flood Insurance that fits your property and situation.
We shop. We explain. You choose.
Nobody Shops Alone.™
Frequently Asked Questions
Flood Insurance FAQs
Straight answers to common questions. Still need help? A licensed Sky-Agent® is ready.
Generally, a standard Homeowners policy does not cover damage caused by flooding. Certain other types of water damage may be covered depending on the cause and policy, but Flood Insurance is specifically designed for eligible flood losses.
Depending on the policy and coverage selected, Flood Insurance may provide protection for the insured building, eligible contents or both. Specific coverage, limits and exclusions depend on the policy.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is administered by FEMA and provides federally backed Flood Insurance for eligible properties in participating communities.
Private Flood Insurance is coverage offered by private insurance companies rather than through the NFIP. Available limits, deductibles, underwriting requirements, waiting periods and other policy features can vary.
Depending on the property, location, lender requirements and eligibility, you may have more than one Flood Insurance option available. A Sky-Agent® can help you explore the options available for your property.
For an eligible one-to-four-family residential building under the NFIP’s Dwelling Form, the current statutory maximum is generally $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for contents.
No. NFIP coverage for property located in a basement is restricted. Certain building items may be covered, while personal-property coverage in basements is very limited.
You may not be federally required to purchase Flood Insurance, but that doesn’t mean your property has no flood exposure.
“Not required” and “not at risk” don’t mean the same thing.
Federal requirements can apply when a building securing certain federally regulated or insured loans is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area. Individual lenders may also have their own requirements.
NFIP policies generally have a waiting period for new coverage, with specific exceptions. Private Flood Insurance waiting periods can vary by insurance company and policy.
Don’t wait until a storm is approaching to think about Flood Insurance.
Eligible renters may be able to purchase Flood Insurance to protect covered personal contents even though they don’t own the building.
Flood Insurance may be available for eligible Mobile and Manufactured Homes. Program requirements can depend on the home, location and how it is installed or anchored.
Contents coverage may be available for eligible personal property. Building and contents are separate coverage considerations.
Yes. Flood Insurance needs for a Condo can depend on what the condominium association insures and what you are responsible for as an individual unit owner.
Tell your Sky-Agent® about your Condo and we’ll help you explore the available Flood Insurance options.
SkyBlue is licensed nationwide. Flood Insurance availability, programs and eligibility vary by property and location, but a Sky-Agent® can help you explore available options.
FLOOD INSURANCE RESOURCES
Understand Your Flood Risk Before the Water Rises.
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