Flood Insurance vs. Home Insurance

As Florida heads into hurricane season, understanding the difference between flood insurance and home insurance is more important than ever. While both types of coverage protect your property, they serve distinct purposes—and failing to have the right one could leave you financially vulnerable.

What Is Home Insurance?

Home insurance can typically help cover damage from events such as fire, theft, windstorms and hail. However, it does not cover flood damage, which is a critical exclusion in a state prone to hurricanes and heavy rainfall. This means if your home is damaged by rising water from a storm surge or overflowing rivers, your standard home insurance policy won’t help.

What Is Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance, on the other hand, is a separate policy, often purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers, that specifically covers losses caused by flooding. This can include structural damage and, in many cases, damage to personal belongings.

Do I Need Both?

In Florida, where the insurance market has been in crisis due to repeated hurricane damage and high litigation costs, obtaining well-rounded coverage has become increasingly complex. Although recent legislation has helped stabilize the market somewhat, many insurers still avoid writing new policies during hurricane season.

For homeowners, having home insurance alone is not enough. If you live in a flood-prone area like Florida, you should strongly consider purchasing flood insurance. It’s also wise to review your policies annually and verify that you understand what is and isn’t covered.

Learn More

With hurricane season approaching, now is the time to act. Don’t wait until a storm is on the radar—by then, it may be too late to secure the protection you need. For home insurance and flood insurance near you, contact Bruening Insurance Agency, Inc.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.