Flood Insurance

Flood damage can happen to you, no matter where your home, apartment,​ or business is located. You can buy flood insurance even if your property is not located in a flood plain. In some cases according to federal law, mortgage lenders may require a home or business owner to purchase flood insurance.

Flood insurance can be purchased through licensed property and casualty insurance agents in Pennsylvania to cover almost any building and its contents, including rental property and condominiums. Tenants can buy protection for their belongings as well.

No. It is important to be aware that a standard homeowner's or renter's policy does not cover damages resulting from a flood. Remember there may be a waiting period for your flood policy to take effect. For example, there is a 30-day waiting period for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance policies to become effective.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the NFIP, has many educational pieces to help consumers understand the basics of flood insurance, how to protect your home, and what to do if you are the victim of a flood.

There are two options available to homeowners or renters to purchase flood insurance;

1. Obtaining coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or,
2. Obtaining coverage through private insurers, including surplus lines insurers. (Surplus lines coverage is insurance that is provided by an insurer that is not licensed in the insured's state.)
   

When purchasing flood insurance, it is important to consider the kind of coverage you may need. Insurers write different types of flood insurance policies such as coverage for the dwelling - the structure of your home, and contents - your personal property within the dwelling.

If you currently have NFIP coverage and choose private coverage, your premium could increase significantly if you then choose to return to the NFIP at a later date.

You may be excluded from certain hazard mitigation grant programs available through FEMA and the NFIP if you choose private flood insurance to insure property located in a flood-prone area.  For more information regarding hazard mitigation grant programs, visit the DCED Disaster Recovery page.

A surplus lines insurer or company is an insurance provider not licensed in Pennsylvania. They are licensed in the state in which the insurer is based and must be authorized to sell surplus lines policies in Pennsylvania.

There are benefits and risks associated with getting surplus line coverage.

• Some mortgage lenders may be less willing to accept a surplus line-issued flood insurance policy than a policy issued under the National Flood Insurance Program.
  
• There is no Guaranty Fund protection with surplus lines insurance. The Guaranty Fund is similar to FDIC insurance for bank accounts. If your insurer is unable to pay your claim, the Guaranty Fund will pay it. However, the department does monitor surplus lines companies to ensure their ability to pay claims. 
• For consumers who may have been redrawn into flood plains, or whose property is only partially in a flood plain, surplus lines policies may offer significant savings. For consumers whose properties fall well within flood plains or pose a high risk of flooding, the NFIP may be the only option. 
  
• The Insurance Department advises consumers to speak with their lenders to ensure that they are willing to accept a surplus lines policy.