If you're a California homeowner, there's a coverage gap you probably don't know about. Your homeowners policy explicitly excludes floods — every type of flooding, no exceptions. Here's what you need to know.
What flood insurance covers
A private flood insurance policy covers direct physical loss caused by flooding to your building structure — foundation, walls, electrical, HVAC, plumbing — plus your personal property and in most cases, loss of use if your home becomes uninhabitable.
The home insurance gap most Californians don't know about
Standard homeowners insurance explicitly excludes rising water from rivers or drains, storm surge, mudflows caused by flooding, and flash flooding from heavy rainfall. After a wildfire, burned hillsides lose their ability to absorb water — debris flows become a major risk and ARE covered under flood insurance.
⚠️ Post-wildfire flood risk: Properties near the 2025 Palisades and Eaton fire burn areas face significantly elevated mudflow risk during rainstorms. Flood insurance is especially important for these homes.
Who needs flood insurance in California
- Homes near the LA or San Gabriel rivers or any creek, wash, or drainage channel
- Properties in FEMA flood zones — your lender may require it
- Post-wildfire areas — Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and surrounding communities
- Low-lying or flat properties where water naturally accumulates
How much does flood insurance cost
Private flood insurance in California typically costs $400–$900/year for low-to-moderate risk properties. Cost depends on your flood zone, elevation, coverage amount, and deductible. Get an instant quote by entering your address on our flood insurance page.
Private flood insurance vs NFIP
Private flood insurance typically offers higher limits, shorter waiting periods, loss of use coverage, and competitive pricing. The government NFIP plan caps at $250K building / $100K contents, has a 30-day waiting period, and no loss of use coverage. For most California homeowners, private flood insurance is the better option.
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