What is Inland Flood Coverage
Sometimes referred to as flash flood coverage, inland flood coverage provides protection for homeowners and renters who are not located in high-risk flood zones but may experience flash floods or other flooding events. To put it simply, it’s flood insurance for non-flood zones. Westfield’s inland flood coverage is an affordable add-on solution to your homeowners insurance policy and can help financially protect you from:
- When inland waters, such as streams and rivers, overflow and partially or completely flood normally dry land.
- Unusual, rapid rain accumulation, runoff, or snowmelt that doesn’t drain away or soak into the ground.
- When water carries mud and becomes a mudflow.
$26,000
The amount of property damage a single inch of water can cause.1
What Does Inland Flood Insurance Cover?
Like private flood insurance companies, Westfield offers an inland flood coverage endorsement for those in low-to-moderate flood risk areas. This coverage can help you repair your home after expensive water damage due to flooding events like flash floods. Westfield’s endorsement covers:*
- The dwelling and other structures like a shed or detached garage.
- Your personal property, including items in your basement.
- Debris removal expenses.
- Additional living costs, such as hotel stays and meals.
What Does Inland Flood Insurance Not Cover?
Inland flood insurance only covers losses directly caused by flooding. For example, damage caused by a sewer backup is not covered, unless the backup is a direct result of flooding. Additionally, Westfield’s inland flood coverage is not available for those in high-risk flood zones. If you are in a high-risk flood zone and required to have flood insurance, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can help.
How Does Inland Flood Insurance Work?
Let’s look at a few examples of how inland flood coverage can help policyholders when they experience a flash flood or other flooding event.
Personal Property – A creek behind a policyholder’s home overflowed and water entered the basement. The sump pump was unable to keep up with the influx of water and the policyholder’s carpet and furniture were damaged. Inland flood coverage could help pay to replace the damaged personal property.
Dwelling and Personal Property – An intense rainstorm caused flood water to enter a policyholder’s home through the basement windows. The water damaged the furnace and destroyed the drywall. Inland flood coverage could help pay to repair the furnace and replace the drywall.
Debris Removal and Additional Living Costs – Heavy precipitation caused a mudflow, which damaged a policyholder’s home and left behind heavy debris. The policyholder had to temporarily relocate while the debris was removed. Inland flood coverage could help pay for their hotel stay and the debris removal.
Do I Need Flood Insurance?
Floods are the most common and costly natural disasters in the United States,2 but standard homeowners policies don’t cover flood damage. Therefore, purchasing inland flood coverage is often a smart financial move. With changes in our climate over the past decade, we’ve seen a rise in the severity and frequency of flash floods and other flooding events in areas that may not have experienced them in the past. So, even if you live in an area with a low flood risk, you should consider adding inland flood coverage to your homeowners policy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
*Sub-limits may apply.
1 National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Estimated Flood Loss Potential, www.floodsmart.gov/sites/default/files/flood-loss-potential_jul19.pdf.
2 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), https://www.floodsmart.gov/flood, accessed 5/1/21.