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El Niño Flood Insurance Checklist for Homes
The questions to ask and the records to gather, starting with the 30-day wait on a new NFIP flood policy.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
Tick the circles, tap any line to change it, drag the dots to reorder.
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Allow about 30 days. A new National Flood Insurance Program policy usually takes that long to start, so buying once a storm is forecast may be too late for that storm. Standard homeowners policies typically don't cover flood or mudflow damage. A home that has never flooded can still flood, United Policyholders warns. This list covers the questions to ask and the records to gather. It doesn't recommend a policy. For your own coverage, check with your insurance agent or the California Department of Insurance.
Why these items are on the list
- Check your flood risk. Learn your flood and mudflow risk if you're near a hillside, canyon or recent burn area.
- Read your current home policy. Standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flood damage, so see what yours says about water.
- Ask about mudflow coverage. Mudflow isn't typically covered by standard home insurance and may need separate coverage.
- Ask about drain and sewer backup. Confirm your home policy covers drain and sewer backup damage.
- Ask which flood policies you can get. United Policyholders names NFIP or a non-admitted insurer; South San Francisco says only NFIP. Ask your agent.
- Get a flood insurance quote. Don't skip this because your home hasn't flooded before; learn more at floodsmart.gov.
- Plan for the 30-day waiting period. South San Francisco advises Californians in areas with flood risk to buy through the NFIP immediately.
- Call the Department of Insurance. Its consumer hotline, 800-927-4357, answers questions about your insurance and coverage.
- Fix roof leaks before rain. Clear gutters, downspouts and storm drains too, and get sandbags before heavy rain is forecast.
- Raise outdoor units at least a foot. SmartFinancial says air conditioners and heat pumps should sit at least a foot above ground level.
- Anchor outdoor fuel tanks. Attach it to a large slab or strap it to ground anchors so a flood can't easily move it.
- Buy sandbags, consider flood vents. Vents are suggested if you have a basement.
- Sign up for county alerts. LA County residents can register at alert.lacounty.gov for evacuation warnings and orders.
Work through it with your policy open beside it and tick each question once you have an answer. Share it with a partner so one of you owns the phone calls.
When to use it
Use it as early in the storm season as you can, since a new NFIP policy usually takes 30 days to start.