Ohio homeowners know that heavy rain can turn peaceful neighborhoods into soggy messes overnight. When water starts rising toward the house, most people’s first thought is, “Will my insurance cover this?” The answer for standard home insurance policies is usually no. Flood damage is a special case, and one that often requires extra protection.
What Standard Policies Cover
Typical home insurance policies don’t cover flooding that comes from outside sources, such as overflowing rivers, melting snow, or heavy rain that seeps into the foundation. Insurers treat these events differently because they affect entire areas at once, creating widespread losses.
Why Flood Insurance Is Separate
You must purchase flood coverage separately, either through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. Many Ohio homeowners skip it because their homes aren’t near a lake or river, but floods can happen almost anywhere. Storm drains can overflow, groundwater can rise, and flash floods can hit even elevated neighborhoods. The cost of cleanup and repairs without flood insurance can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars.
Ohio’s Unique Risks
While Ohio doesn’t face the same earthquake risks as states like California, small tremors still occur occasionally. Home insurance doesn’t cover earthquake damage either, so if your property sits near a known fault line, it may be worth asking about a separate earthquake endorsement while reviewing flood options.
Protecting Your Home Before the Next Storm
A few inches of water can cause serious damage to flooring, wiring, and your foundation. Instead of waiting for disaster to strike, talk with an agent at M & M Insurance Group, serving Chesterland, OH, about adding flood coverage. It’s one of those rare protections you hope you’ll never need, but you’ll be grateful to have if the water starts to rise.
