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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
              Find an Insurance Provider
              Renewing a Policy
          
                                	
			      Renewing a Policy
        
    
              Why Should I Renew My Policy?
              How to Renew Your Policy
              Flood Risks and Costs
          
                                	
			      Flood Risks and Costs
        
    
              Cost of Flooding
              What Impacts My Premium and Policy Costs?
              Flood Insurance Mitigation Discount Tool
              Climate Change and Risk
              Policy Terms
              How Can I Pay Less?
              Before and After a Flood
          
                                	
			      Before and After a Flood
        
    
              Steps to Prepare for Flooding
              How Do I Start My Flood Claim?
              Document Damage and Start Clean Up
              Disaster Response
              Appeal Your Flood Claim
              Understanding Coverage Decisions
              Reducing Future Flood Damage
              Flood Zones and Maps
          
                                	
			      Flood Zones and Maps
        
    
              Historical Claims Map
              All About Flood Maps
              Flood Map Updates
              Elevation Certificates Cost of Flooding
          What Impacts My Premium and Policy Costs?
          Policy Costs and Terms
          How Can I Pay Less?Understanding your policy terms
  For detailed information about your flood insurance policy, review the Flood Insurance Manual or contact your insurance agent today.

You can also call the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at 877-336-2627.
              Coverage Limits 

                        
                      
                        Purchase Requirements 

                        
                      
                        DeductiblesFor residential properties, you can secure coverage **up to $250,000 for the building** and **$100,000 for the building contents.**

For commercial properties, you can secure coverage **up to $500,000 for the building** and **$500,000 for the building contents.**

Contents and building coverage are **purchased separately,** and there are always separate deductibles. Unless you have contents coverage, your flood-damaged belongings are not covered.
                                            If you live in the high-risk flood area and have a government-backed mortgage, you may be required to purchase flood insurance.
                                            Your lender may set a maximum amount for your deductible.

As with other insurance plans, a higher deductible will lower the premium you pay but will also reduce your claim payment, meaning you will need to cover the difference out of your own pocket.

**Separate deductibles apply to building and contents coverage.** This means that if your building and contents are both damaged due to a flood event, both deductibles are applied.
              Waiting periods for your coverage

Typically, there’s a 30-day waiting period from date of purchase until your flood insurance policy goes into effect.

Exceptions to the 30-day waiting period

**No waiting period:**

If you purchase flood insurance while making, increasing, extending, or renewing your mortgage loan.
	If you change your flood insurance coverage on your insurance policy renewal bill.
	In the event of flooding after a wildfire, if a property is impacted by flooding on burned federal land and the policy is purchased within 60 days of the wildfire-containment date. Waiving of the waiting period is determined at the time of claim.**1-day waiting period:**

If a home or business is newly designated to be in the high-risk flood area and you purchase flood insurance within the 13-month period following a map update.
              Policy term and expiration

NFIP flood insurance has a **policy term of one year.**

All policies expire at 12:01am on the last day of the effective term, but you remain covered for 30 days after the expiration.

Claims for losses that occur in this grace period will be honored, provided that the full renewal premium is paid by the end of the 30-day grace period.

Letting your policy lapse could cause you to lose any discounted rates you have been receiving, and you may not be in compliance with the terms of your mortgage agreement.


**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.
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FEMA | National Flood Insurance Program
                        500 C St SW,
            Washington,
            D.C.
            20472 Disaster Assistance:
          (800) 621-FEMA An official website of the Department of Homeland Security
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