Is Flood Insurance Required in Houston, TX

One of the things Houston is known for is its susceptibility to flooding. Given the city’s geographical location and flat terrain, it’s no surprise that flood insurance is, unfortunately, a topic of significant importance for Houston residents.

Understanding Flood Insurance

Flood insurance is a specific type of property insurance that can cover a dwelling for losses sustained by water damage specifically due to flooding. Unlike most standard homeowners insurance policies, flood insurance can cover damages caused by external water intrusion, typically in the form of flooding.

In Houston, flood insurance policies are often acquired through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a federal program managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The NFIP may offer coverage for the structure of the home, personal belongings and expenses related to helping you physically protect your home from flood damage.

Coverage Overview

Although policy details can vary, flood insurance may often include the following financial protections:

• Structural coverage—This may cover the physical structure of your home and its foundations, electrical and plumbing systems, central air and heating systems, attached bookcases, cabinets and paneling. Additional structures on your property, such as a detached garage, tool shed or guest house may also be covered.

• Personal property coverage—This part of a flood insurance policy may financially protect personal belongings such as clothing, furniture, appliances and electronic equipment should floodwaters damage or destroy them.

• Property protection coverage—In some cases, flood insurance may also cover the cost of implementing physical, loss avoidance fortifications for your home, including sandbags, supplies and labor for moving items or debris elsewhere.

Is Flood Insurance Required in Houston?

While flood insurance is not always federally required in Houston, it’s highly recommended. Houston’s susceptibility to flooding makes it a high-risk area. Even if you’re not in a designated flood zone, it’s important to consider flood insurance. Without suitable coverage, even a small amount of floodwater entering your home could incur catastrophic damages you would have to pay for out of pocket.

Additionally, there may indeed be some requirements related to this type of coverage. For example, if your property is located in a high-risk flood zone and you have a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, you are required to purchase a flood insurance policy. Furthermore, if you’ve previously received FEMA aid following floods, you must retain coverage to be eligible for further assistance in the future.

Get the Right Coverage

For the people of Houston, flood insurance is not just another policy. Given the city’s high risk for flooding, ample coverage should be considered a necessity. With this importance in mind, the team at Best Option Insurance and Tax is standing by to assist you in understanding and securing appropriate coverage. Contact us today to learn more.

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.