FEMA General Building & Personal Property Coverage Options

WARNING 

Most homeowners and renters insurance policies do not cover flood events and flood insurance does not cover damages related to homeowners or renter dwelling insurance policies. Flood insurance reimburses homeowners and renters for flood damage to their property.

FEMA Flood Building Property Coverage

• The electrical and plumbing systems
• Furnaces, water heaters, heat pumps and sump pumps
• Refrigerators, cooking stoves and built-in appliances such as dishwashers
• Permanently installed carpeting over an unfinished floor
• Permanently installed paneling, wallboard, bookcases and cabinets. The damage must be directly caused by flood water. Cabinets that were not damaged by flood water are not covered, even if they match cabinets that were damaged by flood water
• Window blinds
• Foundation walls, anchorage systems and staircases attached to the building. There is an exclusion for “loss caused directly by earth movement even if the earth movement is caused by flood.”
• A detached garage used for limited storage or parking. Up to 10 percent of the building coverage limit can be used, but will reduce the total amount of building coverage available
• Cisterns and the water in them
• Fuel tanks and the fuel in them, solar energy equipment and well water tanks and pumps

FEAM Flood Personal Property Coverage

• Personal belongings such as clothing, furniture and electronic equipment
• Curtains
• Portable and window air conditioners (easily moved or relocated)
• Portable microwave ovens and portable dishwashers
  Carpets not included in building coverage (carpet installed over wood floors, etc.)
• Laundry washers and dryers
• Certain valuable items such as original artwork and furs (up to $2,500)
• Food freezers and the food in them (but not refrigerators)

Not covered under either Building Property or Personal Property coverage:

• Damage caused by moisture, mildew or mold that could have been avoided by the property owner or which are not attributable to the flood
• Damage caused by earth movement, even if the earth movement is caused by flood
• Additional living expenses, such as temporary housing, while the building is being repaired or is unable to be occupied
• Loss of use or access to the insured property
• Financial losses caused by business interruption
• Property and belongings outside of an insured building such as trees, plants, wells, septic systems, walks, decks, patios, fences, seawalls, hot tubs and swimming pools
• Currency, precious metals and valuable papers such as stock certificates
• Most self-propelled vehicles such as cars, including their parts (see Section IV.5 in your policy)

*  Coverage levels and options may vary from FEMA to Private Insurance Policies