Best Texas Flood Insurance

Want to protect yourself from the costs caused by flashing flooding? If you're looking for flood insurance in Texas, look no further. Flood insurance is necessary for a flood zone marked by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. Even if a residence or corporate office is not located in a flood zone, it is helpful to stay prepared and protected with flood insurance.

It is especially beneficial to have flood insurance in a state like Texas, with its ever-changing seasons and yearly natural disasters. Read on to discover more about the flood insurance process and how it can aid you in the midst of a water crisis.

Best Flood Insurance in Texas

Take a look at the best flood insurance providers in Texas.

1. Assurant

2. USAA

3. Neptune

What is Flood Insurance?

A flood can occur anywhere and cause severe damage to a home, business, and all the possessions and equipment inside. Even having a single inch of floodwater enter a residence can damage property, leading to thousands of dollars of losses. FEMA delivers flood insurance through a variety of insurance companies and the National Flood Insurance Program Direct.

Flood insurance explicitly covers catastrophic flooding of any kind, and it is required if you live in a flood zone where FEMA mandates coverage. A Texas flood map depicts where major, moderate, and minor floods are occurring. FEMA also has flood zone maps and risk assessments people can review to distinguish which areas hold the highest risk of flooding.

Nonetheless, floods can be random and happen nearly anywhere, even if there is no body of water nearby. A heavy rainfall, nearby construction job, or poor drainage can increase your risk of experiencing flood damage.

It is essential to note your homeowner’s insurance policy does not include flood insurance. If you are house hunting, listings often reveal whether flood insurance is required or not or which zone a home falls under.

Examples of flooding include erosion, mudflow, runoff, and overflow. According to FEMA’s Summary of Coverage, depending on the purchased coverage, flood insurance can cover the following:

Building Coverage

Building Coverage: An insured building and its foundation include electrical and plumbing systems, central air conditioning units, water heaters, and furnaces. Appliances are also included, such as dishwashers, washing machines, and cooking stoves. Permanently installed carpeting, paneling, cabinets, and wallboards are covered, as well as debris removal and cleanup costs to repair flood damages.

Below the Lowest Elevated Floor: Foundation walls, staircases attached to the building, and anchorage systems are covered, though losses caused by earth movements are excluded. However, electrical outlets, circuit-breaker boxes, and fuel tanks, and water tanks are covered. In addition, heat pumps and sump pumps are essential systems in the home that are covered, too.

Personal Contents Coverage

Building Coverage: Personal belongings such as furniture, electronic equipment, clothing, and valuables such as particular artwork and jewelry – up to $2,500 – are covered. Moreover, carpeting is not covered in the building coverage, and portable devices such as dishwashers and microwave ovens are protected.

Below the Lowest Elevated Floor: Additional coverage includes portable air conditioners, food freezers and the food contained inside them, and clothes in washers and dryers.

There are a number of losses that are not covered in case a flood occurs. Examples include damage caused by mold or moisture that could have been avoided, vehicles such as cars and their parts, and property belonging outside of a building such as landscaping, trees, patios, swimming pools, and fences.

Additional examples comprise removing debris from demolitions or renovations, financial losses due to business interruptions or loss of insured property, and damage caused by water flow under the earth’s surface due to sewer backup or seepage.

Overall, it is pertinent to review all policies with a reputable insurance company and receive a detailed list of items that are covered for your information.

Where are Flood Zones in Texas?

Flood zones in Texas illustrate which areas are at flood risk and are updated regularly. The FEMA Flood Map Service Center allows you to search areas by address. Flood zones are spread around Texas, relating to rivers, lakes, and the gulf coast.

The Texas Water Development Board provides resources to flood plan management by keeping track of flood elevations, hazard layers, mitigation awareness, and flood risk analysis.

It is pertinent to note how flat grounds across Texas allow flooding to spread quickly, often expanding flood areas more than usual. Even if you live inland, there is no risk-free flood zone.

How Do You Get Flood Insurance in Texas?

Flood insurance can be attained in Texas either through an insurance company or through FEMA. It will be a distinct policy from your homeowner’s insurance, which does not cover floods.

In addition to covering your place of residence, do not forget to also cover your own investment properties and real estate. And if you have any plans to purchase more property or move elsewhere, make sure to check the flood zone status of each property.

What if Flood Insurance is Not Required?

Even if flood insurance is not required based on the zone you live in, it is still essential to consider investing in flood insurance just in case a natural disaster strikes, or heavy rains fall. After all, there are numerous stories of people who have lost thousands of dollars in savings or precious assets due to an unlucky and random flood taking place.

Moreover, flood insurance lowers in price when risks are lower, and you reside outside of a central flood zone area.

Frequently Asked Questions