Yes — and especially if you live in Houston. Your homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage under any circumstances. Without a separate flood policy there is absolutely no coverage for flood-related losses.

You may have heard "I'm not in a flood zone" — but there is no such thing as a zero-flood-risk zone in Houston. Every property in Harris County has some level of flood risk. After Hurricane Harvey, thousands of Houston homeowners outside designated flood zones suffered devastating losses with zero insurance coverage.

Flood insurance is generally affordable — often just a few hundred dollars per year — and could save you tens of thousands after a single storm. Get a free quote to see what it would cost for your home.

There are two main types of flood insurance available to Houston homeowners:

NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) — backed by the federal government through FEMA. Stable, widely accepted by mortgage lenders, and available to almost all homeowners regardless of flood zone. Coverage limits are capped at $250,000 for the structure and $100,000 for contents.

Private Flood Insurance — backed by private insurance carriers who set their own rates and coverage terms. Often more flexible than NFIP, can offer higher coverage limits, faster claims, and sometimes lower premiums depending on your property's risk profile.

As an independent broker we shop both NFIP and private flood options to find you the best coverage at the best price for your specific Houston property.

You can look up your property's official flood zone designation using the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Enter your address and it will show you your flood zone and risk level.

However keep in mind that FEMA flood maps are not always current — many Houston properties that flooded during Hurricane Harvey were not in designated high-risk zones at the time. Your flood zone designation affects your NFIP premium but should not be the sole factor in deciding whether to get coverage.

Not sure what your flood zone means for your coverage options? Contact us and we'll walk you through it.

Flood damage is excluded from virtually all standard homeowners insurance policies in Texas. The reason is simple — if insurers included flood coverage in standard home policies, the frequency and severity of claims in high-risk states like Texas would make premiums unaffordable for everyone.

This is why the federal government created the NFIP — to make flood insurance accessible and affordable as a separate policy. A small number of private carriers can add limited flood coverage as an endorsement to a homeowners policy, but this is rare and usually comes with strict limitations.

The safest approach for any Houston homeowner is a dedicated flood insurance policy. Get a free quote and we'll find the right option for your home and budget.

Call us first at (281) 990-1341 — we'll walk you through everything and help coordinate with the insurance company on your behalf.

In the meantime document all damage with photos and videos before any cleanup begins, and take reasonable steps to prevent further damage such as removing standing water where safe to do so. Keep all receipts for emergency repairs.

We sit on your side of the table in a claims situation — you'll never be sent to a 1-800 number or call center. Visit our Learning Center for more information on flood insurance in Houston.