New: A Statement on Fraud from Our Chairman & CEO
Read Michael Scaief’s perspective on today’s fraud environment and why fraud prevention has become a shared responsibility for every individual, family, and business.
FDIC-Insured – Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government
Many homeowners and business owners assume their current property insurance covers flood damage. In reality, flooding is typically excluded from standard property insurance policies. Understanding that difference before hurricane season can help you avoid one of the most common coverage gaps in Texas.
When a hurricane damages a home or business, most people naturally assume their insurance will cover the loss. After all, hurricanes bring wind, rain, and flooding. It feels like one event, so it’s easy to assume it’s covered under one policy. The answer is more complicated.
Most standard property insurance policies cover damage caused by wind, hail, and other covered perils. Flood damage, however, is typically excluded and requires separate coverage. That distinction matters because flooding is often one of the most costly forms of hurricane damage. Understanding where standard property insurance ends—and where flood insurance begins—can help you make more informed decisions before hurricane season.
It’s one of the most common misconceptions surrounding hurricane season—and one that often isn’t discovered until someone files a claim. The biggest risk isn’t the flood itself. It’s learning after the water rises that your insurance wasn’t designed to cover it.
While every policy is different, most standard property insurance policies generally cover damage caused by:
Flood damage is different. Water that enters a property because rivers overflow, storm surge pushes inland, or heavy rainfall causes rising water is generally considered flooding and typically requires a separate flood insurance policy. A helpful way to remember the distinction is this:
If water enters because wind created an opening, it may be covered. If rising water enters from outside, it generally is not.
Understanding that difference is one of the most important steps you can take before hurricane season.
Many Texans assume flood insurance is only necessary for properties located in designated flood zones. While those areas face greater risk, flooding isn’t limited to them. Hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rainfall, changing drainage patterns, and new development can all contribute to flooding in places that have never experienced significant flood damage before.
Whether you own a home, operate a business, or both, it’s worth asking a simple question: If my property flooded tomorrow, would my current insurance cover the damage? If you’re not sure, now is the right time to review your coverage—not when a storm is already in the forecast.
If you're unsure whether your current policies include flood coverage, a TRB Insurance agent can review your coverage, answer your questions, and help identify potential gaps before hurricane season.
Connect with a TRB Insurance AgentFlood insurance is available through both the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and many private insurance carriers. Both can provide valuable protection, but coverage limits, waiting periods, and policy features may differ. The right option depends on your property’s location, value, and the type of protection you’re looking for.
Because every property and business is different, reviewing your current policies with an insurance professional can help identify potential gaps before they become costly surprises.
One of the most important things to know about flood insurance is that coverage often doesn’t begin immediately. Many flood insurance policies include a waiting period before they become effective. That means once a tropical system is approaching the Gulf Coast, it may already be too late for new coverage to protect you from that event. That’s why flood insurance is best viewed as part of your overall hurricane preparedness plan—not a last-minute purchase when a storm is in the forecast.
If you're unsure whether your current policies include flood coverage, a TRB Insurance agent can review your coverage, answer your questions, and help identify potential gaps before hurricane season.
Connect with a TRB Insurance Agent
