What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Texas?

10-minute read · Published July 30, 2026 · Reviewed by Mohammed Elkhalil, Texas License #2427360

Quick Answer

Flood insurance can cover the insured building, certain permanently installed systems and appliances, and personal belongings damaged by a covered flood. Building coverage and contents coverage are separate. Standard NFIP policies generally do not cover vehicles, additional living expenses, landscaping, fences, swimming pools, most property outside the building, or many improvements and belongings in basements.

Private flood policies may offer broader or different coverage. The policy form, limits, deductibles, exclusions, valuation method, and endorsements control the claim.

Key Takeaways

NFIP flood insurance offers separate building and contents coverage.
Residential NFIP limits are generally up to $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for contents.
Contents coverage is not automatically included with building coverage.
Basements and areas below an elevated floor have significant restrictions.
Private flood policies may include higher limits or additional living expense coverage.

Flood insurance is designed to pay for direct physical loss caused by a covered flood, subject to the policy's terms. It does not cover every type of water damage, every item on the property, or every expense that follows a flood.

The first distinction to understand is the difference between building coverage and contents coverage.

Building Coverage vs. Contents Coverage

Coverage Type	What It Protects	NFIP Residential Maximum
Building coverage	The insured structure and eligible permanently installed systems, fixtures, and appliances	Generally up to $250,000
Contents coverage	Eligible personal belongings located inside the insured building	Generally up to $100,000

Homeowners commonly purchase both. Renters generally purchase contents coverage because they do not own the building. Landlords may insure the building and eligible landlord-owned contents, while tenants should insure their own belongings separately.

What Building Coverage May Cover

Subject to policy terms, NFIP building coverage may include:

The insured building and foundation elements
Electrical and plumbing systems
Central air-conditioning equipment
Furnaces and water heaters
Built-in appliances such as dishwashers
Permanently installed cabinets, paneling, and bookcases
Window blinds
Detached garages, subject to policy limitations
Debris removal for covered property
Certain fuel tanks, well-water tanks, pumps, and solar-energy equipment

Detached Garage Limitation

Under the NFIP dwelling form, coverage for a detached garage is generally limited to 10% of the building coverage limit, and that amount reduces the coverage available for the main building.

What Contents Coverage May Cover

Contents coverage may protect eligible belongings inside the insured building, including:

Furniture
Clothing
Electronics
Curtains
Portable and window air conditioners
Portable appliances
Clothes washers and dryers
Food freezers and the food inside them
Certain valuable items, subject to policy sublimits

Under the standard NFIP dwelling policy, personal property is generally settled on an actual-cash-value basis, meaning depreciation may apply.

What Counts as a Covered Flood?

For NFIP purposes, a flood generally involves a temporary condition in which normally dry land is partially or completely inundated by overflow of inland or tidal waters, rapid accumulation or runoff of surface water, or certain mudflow or shoreline-collapse conditions.

A qualifying flood generally affects:

Two or more acres of normally dry land, or
Two or more properties, at least one of which is the policyholder's property

Examples may include rising water from heavy rain, bayou overflow, river flooding, storm surge, or widespread surface-water accumulation.

What Flood Insurance Usually Does Not Cover

Item or Expense	Typical NFIP Treatment
Vehicles	Not covered; comprehensive auto coverage may apply
Additional living expenses	Not covered by the standard NFIP dwelling policy
Landscaping, trees, and plants	Generally not covered
Swimming pools and hot tubs	Generally not covered
Fences, patios, decks, and walkways	Generally not covered
Currency and precious metals	Generally not covered
Financial losses or interrupted use	Generally not covered under a residential NFIP policy
Most property outside an insured building	Generally not covered
Earth movement	Generally excluded unless directly covered under limited policy provisions

Does Flood Insurance Cover a Basement?

NFIP coverage is significantly restricted in basements. A basement is generally any area with its floor below ground level on all sides.

Limited building coverage may apply to certain items such as:

Foundation elements
Electrical outlets, switches, and circuit-breaker boxes
Central air-conditioning equipment
Furnaces and water heaters
Fuel tanks
Well-water tanks and pumps
Sump pumps

Contents coverage in a basement is very limited and generally applies only to certain specified items, such as a washer, dryer, food freezer, and the food inside it.

Finished walls, floors, furniture, electronics, and many other basement improvements or belongings are generally not covered.

Does Flood Insurance Cover Areas Below an Elevated Home?

Coverage is also limited in enclosed areas below the lowest elevated floor of certain elevated buildings. Eligible coverage may be restricted to foundation elements, utility connections, equipment, and items specifically listed in the policy.

Finished rooms, stored belongings, and improvements below the elevated floor may have little or no coverage.

Does Flood Insurance Cover Mold?

Mold may be covered only when it results directly from covered flood damage and the policyholder took reasonable steps to protect the property after the flood. Mold caused by neglect, delayed cleanup, or conditions unrelated to a covered flood may not be covered.

Does Flood Insurance Cover Temporary Housing?

The standard NFIP dwelling policy does not include additional living expense coverage. That means it generally does not pay for a hotel, temporary rental, meals, or other increased living expenses while the home is uninhabitable.

Some private flood policies may offer additional living expense or loss-of-use coverage.

Does Flood Insurance Cover Cars?

No. Flood insurance for a home does not cover automobiles. Flood damage to a vehicle may be covered under the comprehensive portion of an auto policy.

Does Flood Insurance Cover Pools, Fences, and Landscaping?

Standard NFIP coverage generally does not insure:

Swimming pools and hot tubs
Fences
Decks and patios
Landscaping, trees, and plants
Septic systems
Walkways and similar outdoor property

Private flood policies may treat certain outdoor property differently, but coverage must be verified in the actual form.

Does Flood Insurance Cover Sewer Backup?

Sewer or drain backup may be covered when it is directly caused by a qualifying flood. A backup caused only by a plumbing problem, clogged line, mechanical failure, or local sewer issue may not qualify as flood damage.

Homeowners water-backup coverage and flood insurance address different causes and should not be treated as interchangeable.

Does Flood Insurance Cover Storm Surge?

Storm surge can qualify as flood under a flood policy when it meets the policy definition. Homeowners insurance generally excludes rising water and storm surge, while wind damage is handled separately under the applicable homeowners or windstorm policy.

NFIP vs. Private Flood Coverage

Coverage Feature	NFIP	Private Flood
Residential building limit	Generally up to $250,000	May offer higher limits
Residential contents limit	Generally up to $100,000	May offer higher limits
Additional living expense	Not included in standard dwelling form	May be included or optional
Contents valuation	Generally actual cash value	Replacement cost may be available
Basement limitations	Significant restrictions	Varies by policy
Other structures	Limited under the dwelling form	May offer broader options

How Much Flood Coverage Should You Buy?

Consider:

The cost to repair or rebuild the home
The value of personal belongings
The mortgage lender's requirements
The NFIP's maximum limits
Whether private or excess flood coverage is needed
Whether additional living expense coverage is important
The deductibles you could afford after a loss

Questions to Ask Before Buying Flood Insurance

Does the quote include building coverage, contents coverage, or both?
How are personal belongings valued?
Are building and contents deductibles separate?
Are detached structures covered?
How are basements and enclosed areas treated?
Is additional living expense included?
What outdoor property is excluded?
Does the policy cover the replacement cost needed for the home?
Does the policy satisfy the lender?
Would private or excess flood coverage provide broader protection?

Compare flood coverage for your Texas property

TWFG Elkhalil Insurance can compare NFIP and available private flood policies, including building coverage, contents coverage, deductibles, limits, waiting periods, and lender requirements.