General Guidelines on Flood Insurance Coverage

What is Insured Under Building Property Coverage?

  • The insured building and its foundation
  • The electrical and plumbing systems
  • Central air conditioning equipment, furnaces, and water heaters
  • Refrigerators, cooking stoves, and built-in appliances such as dishwashers
  • Permanently installed carpeting over an unfinished floor
  • Permanently installed paneling , wallboard, bookcases, and cabinets
  • Window blinds
  • Detached garages (up to 10% of building property coverage).
  • Detached buildings (other than garages) require a separate building property policy
  • Debris removal

What is Insured Under Personal Property Coverage?

  • Personal belongings such as clothing, furniture, and electronic equipment
  • Curtains
  • Portable and window air conditioners
  • Portable microwave ovens and dishwashers
  • Carpets not included in building coverage
  • Clothes washers and dryers
  • Food freezers and the food in them
  • Certain valuable items such as original artwork and furs (up to $2500)

What is Not Insured by Either Building Property or Personal Property Coverage?

  • Damage caused by moisture, mildew, or mold that could have been avoided by the property owner
  • Currency, precious metals, and valuable papers such as stock certificates
  • Property and belongings outside of a building such as:
    • Decks
    • Fences
    • Hot Tubs
    • Patios
    • Plants
    • Seawalls
    • Septic Systems
    • Swimming Pools
    • Walks
    • Wells
    • Trees
  • Living expenses such as temporary housing
  • Financial losses caused by business interruption or loss of use of insured property
  • Most self-propelled vehicles such as cars, including their parts

Information adapted from FEMA’s pamphlet, "National Flood Insurance Program - Summary of Coverage".