For many homeowners, flood insurance may seem like a concern for someone else – perhaps a neighbor near the beach or a friend with a waterfront view. But when storms stall, canals overflow, or seasonal rains hit harder than expected, even inland homes can be left under water – and uncovered.
So, do Florida homeowners need flood insurance? If your goal is to protect your home from the unexpected, the answer is almost certainly yes.
For many Florida homeowners, the idea of flood insurance sounds like something only beachfront properties need. But after years of heavy storms, record-breaking rainfall, and flood claims denied due to lack of coverage, one thing is clear: Flood risk in Florida extends well beyond the coastline.
So, do Florida homeowners need flood insurance? If protecting your home and everything in it matters to you, the answer is likely yes.
Why Flood Insurance Is Separate – and Necessary
One of the most important things to understand is this: standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. If water rises up from outside your home and causes damage to your home, it’s considered a flood – and flood damage is explicitly excluded from nearly every homeowners policy.
This often comes as a surprise to homeowners. For example: After a relentless afternoon storm, rainwater begins to pool outside, then slowly seeps in through the back door – leaving your floors waterlogged and furniture at risk. You call your insurance company, only to hear your policy doesn’t cover the damage. This is because, in insurance terms, floodwater – from rainfall, runoff, storm surge, or overflowing canals – requires a separate flood insurance policy.
Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and through private carriers. It typically covers:
- The structure of your home (foundation, walls, systems)
- Major appliances and utilities (water heater, electrical, HVAC)
- Personal belongings (furniture, clothing, electronics)
- Cleanup and debris removal
Without this coverage, you may be left paying thousands of dollars out of pocket after even a few inches of water enter your home. Given these risks, the question becomes even more urgent: do Florida homeowners need flood insurance to truly protect their property?
Florida’s Hidden Flood Risk
Flooding in Florida isn’t reserved for beachfront properties – and it doesn’t only happen during hurricane season. Inland communities and densely populated urban areas face serious flood threats, even from heavy rain alone.
- In central Florida in 2022, Hurricane Ian caused historic flooding as far inland as Orlando and Seminole County, with some locations experiencing “500‑year flood” conditions. One neighborhood was even hit with more than 16 inches of rain – flooding beyond what drainage systems could handle.
- More recently, in North Miami, repeated flooding in residential neighborhoods from heavy rainfall – not hurricanes – has left homeowners relying on sandbags and questioning whether the city’s $11 million stormwater upgrade plan will be enough to protect areas once considered low-risk.
These events highlight how often significant flooding can and does occur far from the coast. So, do Florida homeowners need flood insurance in inland and urban areas, too? The evidence increasingly says yes.
If you live in Florida and you’re concerned about flooding, it’s not a question of "if" – but "when" it impacts you. According to the NFIP, more than 40% of flood claims come from low- to moderate-risk flood zones, further illustrating why flood insurance is essential for homeowners across the state, no matter their location.
Is Water Back Up the Same as Flooding?
Not all water damage is created equal. It’s also important to understand the difference between flooding and water back up or sump overflow, as it can determine whether your homeowners or flood insurance policy may cover it.
- Flooding involves rising water from outside your home – typically from heavy rain, overflowing bodies of water, or storm surge. This type of damage is only covered by a separate flood insurance policy.
- Water back up or sump overflow occurs when water or sewage backs up into your home through drains, pipes, or a sump pump. This is usually caused by clogged sewers, overwhelmed municipal systems, or mechanical failure – not external rising water. Water back up can occur from tree root intrusion, pipe blockages, rain events, or hurricanes.
Standard homeowners policies don’t automatically cover water backup either. But, for a small, additional charge, you can add water backup coverage to your Ovation Home Insurance Exchange homeowners policy, which can help pay for:
- Repairs to floors, walls, and belongings damaged by backed-up water
- Cleanup and sanitation costs
- Damages from sump pump failure
To be fully protected, homeowners may need both types of coverage: a separate flood insurance policy for flood damage, and water backup coverage added to your homeowners policy. Your Ovation agent can help you understand the difference and decide what’s right for your home. Still wondering, do Florida homeowners need flood insurance in addition to water backup coverage? For most, the answer is yes.
Why Flood Insurance Is Worth a Conversation With Your Agent
Flood insurance may not be required by your lender, especially if you live in a low-risk flood zone. But low-risk doesn’t mean no-risk – and the distinction matters.
A growing number of Florida homeowners have faced uncovered flood damage after heavy rainfall or extreme storms – not because they didn’t insure their homes, but because they assumed their homeowners policy would be enough. The reality is: without a separate flood insurance policy, you may be vulnerable to one of Florida’s most common and costly hazards.
At Ovation, we believe protecting your home means understanding your risk and acting on it. Whether we offer the flood policy directly or your agent secures one for you through the NFIP, we want you to have the right tools in place.
Your Home Isn’t Fully Covered Without Flood Insurance
Your homeowners policy does a lot – but it doesn’t cover everything.
Flooding can happen far from the coast, and water damage from floods is not covered by your standard homeowners insurance. With storms getting stronger and rainfall becoming more unpredictable, having flood insurance in addition to your homeowners policy is a smart way to safeguard your home.
Talk to your Ovation agent today about flood insurance and water backup coverage. They can help you make sure your home is protected from all sides. And, if you’re not yet insured by Ovation, get your quote online right now. If you’ve ever asked yourself, do Florida homeowners need flood insurance? – the answer is yes. Talk to your agent today.