Flood insurance vs homeowners insurance.

Flood is usually separate

Standard homeowners policies commonly exclude flood damage. Flood coverage is often purchased separately, commonly through federal flood insurance programs or private flood insurers.

Do not confuse water terms

Water backup, sump overflow, burst pipe, seepage, wind-driven rain, and flood can be treated differently. Ask for the exact covered cause of loss, deductible, limit, and exclusion language.

Renewal checklist

• Does the policy include any flood endorsement?
• Is water backup included or optional?
• Are basement, foundation, mold, or seepage losses limited?
• Do you need a separate flood policy even if a lender does not require it?

Sources

Louisiana DOI notes most homeowners policies do not cover flood insurance, and New York DFS says flood coverage is generally excluded from homeowners and tenants policies. Review Louisiana DOI homeowners insurance and NY DFS choosing a policy.