We are fielding calls from concerned clients about El Niño, wondering if they are covered for flood damage to their homes. Unfortunately, flood losses are NOT covered on any homeowners policy.
A "flood" is defined by an intrusion of ground water from the exterior of a property. A separate flood policy must be purchased for the property in order to have coverage. Without flood insurance, you must cover the loss on your own.
Flood policies are not just for those living near a body of water. Climate change and the higher frequency of super storms has lead to an increase in homeowner losses due to flooding. The US GAO reported recently that 13 million homes outside of FEMA flood hazard zones are still considered high risk, and 86% of those homes do NOT have flood insurance. Why the mismatch? First Street reports 62% of those 13 million homes have heavy rainfall as their predominant flood threat.
The GAO report continues, "Consumer misperceptions also can discourage flood insurance purchase. Consumers may underestimate their flood risk, overestimate the amount of federal disaster assistance after a flood, or believe that homeowners insurance covers flood damage when most policies specifically exclude it."
According to a recent forecast, "The most important period to watch is fall 2026 through winter 2026–27, when El Niño’s influence on Pacific weather patterns and coastal waters could become more pronounced. California could face an increased risk of winter storms, heavy rainfall, atmospheric rivers, and coastal flooding, but the strength and location of individual storms remain uncertain."
Every California homeowner should have flood insurance. Don't wait until El Niño hits to get coverage. Many companies have a 30 day waiting period before coverage starts, and those that do not have a waiting period will enact moratoriums on new business when the next big storm hits! The best time to buy flood insurance is BEFORE the rainy season, which is quickly on the way.
You can never predict the time, cause and severity of any major loss, and the effect it will have on you. You can control purchasing the proper insurance to protect against such a catastrophic loss. As big winter storms are getting to be more frequent, please, stay safe, and let us know how we can help you.
Contact Us if you have questions, or would like a flood policy quote. Stay safe out there, and let us know how we can help.