Flood Insurance

How to Start Filing Your Claim   

How to File a Flood Insurance Claim English | Spanish 
Starting Your Recovery: FEMA’s Flood Insurance Claims Process English | Spanish 
Wind vs. Water Damage English | Spanish

Other Quick Resources about the NFIP

• Video: How to Secure Documents in Preparation for a Flood English | Spanish 
• Video: How to Document Damage English | Spanish
• Flyer: How to Start a Flood Insurance Claim Flyer English | Spanish
• Flyer: Identifying Your Advocates After a Flood English| Spanish 

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Whether you’re a renter or a property owner, take a moment to consider adding flood insurance to your financial safety net. Bottom line: basic home and renters policies don’t cover flood repairs, but you can fill that protection gap. Not sure if you have flood risk? Take this quiz.

Home insurance prices are at an all-time high in many parts of the US today, but protecting your assets is still so important. If you’re not in a high flood risk area, adding that protection won’t be a budget buster. If you have an NFIP policy but are considering dropping it, make an informed decision before you do. The fact is – all states have some flood risk.

Flood insurance details:

• You can add flood coverage through a private flood insurer or the National Flood Insurance Program.
• There will be a waiting period from the date you buy it to the date it kicks in. (30 days for an NFIP policy).
• Flood insurance can be very affordable, depending on your location.
• Use this link to learn about your area’s flood risk, contact an insurance agent or call the NFIP at 877-336-2627.
• If you have a mortgage and your home is in a Special Hazard Flood Zone, your lender will require flood insurance.
• An NFIP policy provides $250,000 max to repair flood damage to your home.
• An NFIP policy provides $100,000 max for belongings but not automatically. You have to ask for and pay for this additional coverage.
• An NFIP policy will NOT cover temporary rent if your home is uninhabitable after a flood. Most private flood policies cover that expense.

Contact your insurance agent or company and ask:

• How much will it cost to insure my home and belongings for flood damage?
• Can you help me compare the cost, coverages, and options in an NFIP versus adding coverage to my existing policy through a “flood endorsement” or private flood insurer?
• Would a flood rider or endorsement give me more than $250,000 in coverage? Will it cover temporary rent?

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) has announced that Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys, as Chair of the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force (the Task Force), is seeking public input on the accessibility and affordability of flood insurance throughout the Commonwealth. The comment period will close on February 5, 2024.  The Task Force will review and analyze existing statutes, procedures, practices, processes, and rules relating to the administration of flood insurance in Pennsylvania, and recommend potential programs that provide premium discounts, programs that incentivize local governments to support flood mitigation efforts, and how to increase the number of people who purchase flood insurance through the national flood insurance program or the private flood insurance marketplace. It was established by Act 22 of 2023.  Public comment on flood insurance may be emailed to ra-in-policyoffice@pa.gov, or comments may be mailed to PID’s Director of Policy and Planning, Office of the Insurance Commissioner, 1326 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120. Comments are requested by February 5.

Pennsylvanians impacted by flooding should visit PID’s website for resources that can help guide property owners through filing insurance claims, and tips to avoid repair scams. More information on the NFIP and private flood insurance is available on the Insurance Department’s one-stop Flood Insurance page, and more information on guidance following a severe weather event can be found on the Disaster Recovery resource page.

Consumers with questions or wishing to file a complaint can contact PID’s Consumer Services Bureau by visiting its webpage, or by calling 1-877-881-6388.