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         U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Federal Emergency Management Agency - National Flood Insurance Program

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      Buying a Policy
          
                                	
			      Buying a Policy
        
    
              Why Buy Flood Insurance
              Am I Required to Have Flood Insurance?
              What’s Covered
              Types of Flood Insurance
              How to Buy Flood Insurance
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              Renewing a Policy
          
                                	
			      Renewing a Policy
        
    
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              Flood Risks and Costs
          
                                	
			      Flood Risks and Costs
        
    
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              Before and After a Flood
          
                                	
			      Before and After a Flood
        
    
              Steps to Prepare for Flooding
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              Elevation Certificates Why Buy Flood Insurance
          Am I Required to Have Flood Insurance?
          What's Covered
          Types of Flood Insurance
          How to Buy Flood Insurance
          Find an Insurance ProviderWhat flood insurance covers
  In the event of a flood, your National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy covers direct physical losses to your structure and belongings.

What does my policy cover?

Purchasing flood insurance will help protect the things you value. The NFIP offers two types of coverage – building coverage and contents coverage – to protect your home and belongings. Here are examples of what’s covered with NFIP flood insurance:
              Building coverage protects your: 

                        
                      
                        Contents coverage protects your:Electrical and plumbing systems
	Furnaces and water heaters
	Refrigerators, cooking stoves, and built-in appliances like dishwashers
	Permanently installed carpeting
	Permanently installed cabinets, paneling, and bookcases
	Window blinds
	Foundation walls, anchorage systems, and staircases.
	Detached garages
	Fuel tanks, well water tanks and pumps, and solar energy equipment
                                            Personal belongings such as clothing, furniture, and electronic equipment
	Curtains
	Washer and dryer
	Portable and window air conditioners
	Microwave oven
	Carpets not included in building coverage (e.g., carpet installed over wood floors)
	Valuable items such as original artwork and furs (up to $2,500)
              What isn’t covered by flood insurance?

When determining coverage, the cause of flooding matters.

Flood insurance covers losses directly caused by flooding. In simple terms, a flood is **an excess of water on land that is normally dry,** affecting two or more acres of land or two or more properties.

For example, damage caused by a sewer backup is covered if the backup is a direct result of flooding. If the sewer backup is not caused directly by flooding, the damage is not covered.
              Items not covered by building or contents coverage:
      Temporary housing and additional living expenses incurred while the building is being repaired or is unable to be occupied
	Property outside of an insured building. For example, landscaping, wells, septic systems, decks and patios, fences, seawalls, hot tubs, and swimming pools
	Financial losses caused by business interruption
	Currency, precious metals, stock certificates and other valuable papers
	Cars and most self-propelled vehicles, including their parts
	Personal property kept in basements
              **Have questions about your coverage?**Talk to yourinsurance agentabout what is and isn’t covered by your policy, and check out the NFIP Summaries of Coverage:

Standard Flood Insurance Policy Summary of Coverage
	Commercial Property Summary of Coverage
	Summary of Coverage for Group Flood Insurance Policyholders
	Summary of Coverage for Residential Condominium Buildings


**Buy flood insurance today.** Call your insurance agent, the same person who sells your home or auto insurance. Need help finding an insurance provider? Use the NFIP’s insurance provider locator.
 Get Covered


FEMA | National Flood Insurance Program
                        500 C St SW,
            Washington,
            D.C.
            20472 Disaster Assistance:
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