Flood insurance for a renter's belongings

A landlord may have flood insurance on the building, but that policy doesn't cover a tenant's belongings. A standard renters insurance policy can cover your belongings against theft, wind or fire, and it typically doesn't cover flood damage. A contents-only flood policy, sometimes called renters flood insurance, fills that gap. Any renter living in a community that takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can buy one.

Flooding away from the water

Flooding can happen far from a river or the coast. Hidden flood risks include:

• Runoff from new construction
• Sudden, heavy rainfall
• Rapid snowmelt
• Heavier rains, wildfires and mudflows
• Breached levees or released dams

Federal disaster assistance is available only after a presidential disaster declaration, and it typically comes as a loan to be repaid with interest.

What a renters flood policy covers

In a rental unit above the lowest elevated floor, the policy covers up to $100,000 of tenant-owned property, such as:

• Bedroom. Clothing, furniture, mattresses and bedding.
• Bathroom. Bath mats, shower curtains and toiletries.
• Living room. Couches, tables, rugs, books, televisions and electronics.
• Kitchen. A kitchen table and chairs, kitchenware, and refrigerators and mini fridges.

Below the lowest elevated floor, or in a basement or basement apartment, coverage is limited to a washer, a dryer, a freezer and the food in it. Artwork, autographed items, jewelry, furs and property used in a business share a special limit of $2,500.

What sets the premium

The price reflects the flood risk, such as how often flooding happens, what kind of flooding it is and how far the building is from water, and the building's elevation. It can also depend on:

• The building's age, occupancy and number of floors
• Where your belongings are in the building
• The building's claims history
• Your deductible and how much coverage you choose

Getting a policy

Ask your insurance company or an independent agent who writes NFIP policies for a quote. If your agent doesn't sell flood insurance, the FloodSmart agent search at floodsmart.gov/find or 800-621-3362 can find one. A new policy takes effect 30 days after you buy it, so don't wait. How flood insurance works, and the 30-day wait has more on the program.

An annotated example

What to do next

Check your renters policy for a flood exclusion, then ask an agent for a quote on a contents-only flood policy. Keep the policy with your renters insurance papers.