Flood vs. Water Damage
Water, Water Everywhere — But Are You Really Covered?
Rain, rain, go away… and maybe skip Central Ohio for a while!
If you’re like most of us, you’ve had enough. This summer alone, we’ve seen more rainfall than we did all last year—and with all that water comes a big question:
If water damages your home, are you actually covered?
Unfortunately, this is where a lot of homeowners get caught off guard. One of the most common misconceptions we hear is:
“I have water backup coverage, so I’m covered for flooding… right?”
The answer? No. And that misunderstanding leads to countless claims denied every year.
Let’s break it down clearly.
What Is Water Backup Coverage –It has to be added to your homeowners policy
What it covers:
Water that comes up into your home—through sewers, drains, or sump pumps.
Common claims:
- Sump pump failure during a storm
- Sewer backup into a basement
- Water entering through floor drains after heavy rain
Key point:
This coverage is not automatically included in most homeowners policies. You have to add it—and it usually has a limit ($5K, $10K, $25K+).
But it is NOT flood insurance.
It won’t cover water that enters from outside and rises into your home.
Flood Insurance – It’s not part of your homeowners policy!
What it covers:
Water that enters your home from outside and rises—like flash flooding or overflow.
Common claims:
- Heavy rain overwhelms storm drains and floods your home
- Creek or river overflows
- Water rushes through doors or foundation walls
Key point:
Flood insurance is never included in a homeowners policy. You must buy it separately!
EVERYWHERE IS A FLOOD ZONE– The question is do you live in a high risk or low risk zone?
And yes, it matters even in “low risk” areas:
Over 20% of flood claims come from properties outside flood zones.
Bottom Line
Too many homeowners don’t realize their biggest risks aren’t covered—until it’s too late. That’s why we always say:
If it involves water, ask us!
If you’re unsure what’s included in your current policy—or want to explore adding these two different coverages—we can help you review it and make sure you’re protected.
Let’s make sure the next surprise storm doesn’t come with a surprise denial.
Stay Dry. Stay Protected. Stay Informed.