Flood damage is not covered by Homeowner's Insurance

Sheridan Beach before the flood control projects in LFP
2010

With the heavy rains of the past week, it seems like a good time for a refresher about floods and insurance. This information is from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

• Homeowner policies typically do not cover flood damage. Flood damage is not on standard homeowner policies and most commercial policies, although many people assume it is. That can be a costly assumption. Your mortgage lender may require you to have flood insurance if your home is located in a flood-prone area, also known as a "special flood hazard area." You can estimate your property's flood risk online.
• Most people buy flood insurance through the government’s National Flood Insurance Program, which is run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These policies are sold through local insurance agents and brokers, which you can locate online. As with most policies, there are limits to what is covered.
• If your vehicle is damaged in a flood, your auto policy’s comprehensive coverage typically will cover it. However, you should verify you have that type of coverage with your insurance agent or broker. Read more about auto insurance.

Read more about flood insurance and damage caused by winter weather on OIC’s website.

It should be noted that most of the major flood areas in both Shoreline and Lake Forest Park have been resolved by Public Works projects.

Individual problems are created when it rains so much that the water table rises and water can seep into basements. Steep slopes can become waterlogged and slide. Being downhill from water runoff can also create problems. Low lying areas, streams, and water basins can collect more water than the outflow pipes can handle, flooding nearby homes.