Flood insurance in NYC is the policy most people learn about only after they need it. This page sets out, in general terms, what FEMA, FloodSmart (the National Flood Insurance Program’s site) and FloodHelpNY say about flood cover. It is information, not advice, and not a promise about any policy: for your own case, check your own policy or agent.
Water line
Flood Restoration NYC is an independent referral service, not a restoration company, an insurer or an insurance agent. It sells no insurance and cannot tell you what a claim will pay.
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Homeowners and renters policies usually exclude flood
FloodSmart is blunt: “Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage,” and “only flood insurance covers the cost of rebuilding after a flood.” FEMA says the same of both kinds of household policy: “homeowners and renters insurance do not typically cover flood damage.” For renters in New York, FloodHelpNY adds that flood damage to a renter’s contents “is not likely to be covered by renter’s insurance; the flood insurance would be purchased separately.”
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What counts as a flood
FloodSmart says flood insurance covers losses directly caused by flooding, and defines a flood as “an excess of water on land that is normally dry, affecting two or more acres of land or two or more properties.” Water that affects only one apartment, such as a burst pipe, may not meet that definition; how a loss is classed is for your insurer to decide.
Sewer backups are a common New York question. FloodSmart says that “damage caused by a sewer backup is covered if the backup is a direct result of flooding.” For a backup with another cause, this site cannot say what any policy covers; check your own policy or agent.
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The 30-day wait
FEMA’s page “Don’t Wait: Buy Flood Insurance Today” says a flood insurance policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase, and lists exceptions:
- A one-day wait if the building is newly mapped into a high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area and the policy is bought within 13 months of the map revision.
- No wait when the policy is bought in connection with making, increasing, extending or renewing a mortgage loan.
- No wait for added coverage selected on a renewal bill.
The practical point: a policy bought when a storm is already in the forecast will usually not be in force for that storm. That FEMA page dates from 2018, so check FloodSmart for the current rules.
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Coverage limits
The same 2018 FEMA page gives NFIP maximums: for a single-family home, up to $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for contents; for renters, up to $100,000 for contents; and for non-residential buildings, up to $500,000 each for the building and its contents. Limits and terms can change, so check FloodSmart or an agent before relying on these figures.
| Policy | Building | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family home | Up to $250,000 | Up to $100,000 |
| Renter | Not applicable | Up to $100,000 |
| Non-residential | Up to $500,000 | Up to $500,000 |
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Flood zones and required cover
NYC Flood Maps describes the high-risk flood area as having a one percent chance of flooding in any year and a twenty-six percent chance over the life of a thirty-year mortgage. Its timeline page says property owners in the updated 100-year floodplain with a mortgage from a federally backed lender will be required to buy flood insurance once the maps are finalized. When that will happen is not stated reliably on the city’s pages, so check NYC Flood Maps and your lender. The NYC flood zones guide explains the maps.
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Finding a policy
FloodSmart runs a help line for finding an agent or a carrier that writes NFIP policies, listed on its site. An insurance agent can tell you what is available for your building, your unit or your contents, and what your existing policies already include.
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After a flood: protect your claim
Whatever your cover, records help. Before anything is cleaned or thrown away:
- Photograph and film every wet room, the water line on the walls and each damaged item.
- Write a list of what got wet, room by room.
- Note when the water came in and where from: the street, the sea, the drain or above.
- Keep copies of any notice you gave a landlord, board or managing agent.
- Keep the restoration provider’s written description of the work and invoices.
Then ask your insurer or agent what they need before you start removing materials. The restoration work itself is covered on flood cleanup in NYC.
Water in the building now? Send the form with your borough and what happened, and an independent local provider can contact you about the cleanup.
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Questions people ask
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding in NYC?
Usually not. FloodSmart says most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage; flood cover is a separate policy. Check your own policy or agent.
Does renters insurance cover flood damage?
Not typically. FEMA says renters insurance does not typically cover flood, and FloodHelpNY says a renter’s contents are not likely to be covered; contents flood insurance is bought separately.
How long before a flood policy starts?
Generally 30 days after purchase, FEMA says, with exceptions such as a policy bought with a mortgage loan. Check FloodSmart for the current rules.
Is a sewer backup covered by flood insurance?
FloodSmart says sewer backup damage is covered if the backup is a direct result of flooding. For other backups, check your own policy or agent.
NowWater in the building?
Tell us where and what happened, and an independent local provider can contact you.