Protecting Your Texas Home: Do You Need Flood Insurance?

Texas is a beautiful state, but its weather can change quickly. While many homeowners think about hail and wind, flooding is one of the most common and overlooked risks and it can happen anywhere it rains. Despite this, standard homeowners insurance policies almost never cover flood damage.

At Rollo Insurance, we believe in being prepared for every possibility. Flood insurance is a smart step toward protecting your home and everything in it. We’re here to help you understand your risk and decide if flood coverage is right for you. Because when it comes to your home, preparation brings peace of mind.

Recent Texas Flooding: A Costly Reminder

Texas has unfortunately seen its share of significant and costly flooding events in recent years, proving that no area is truly “flood-proof.” These events serve as powerful reminders why flood insurance may be right for you:

• Hurricane Harvey (2017): This Category 4 hurricane had record-breaking rainfall (over 60 inches in some areas) for days. It caused widespread, catastrophic flooding, particularly in Houston, damaging or destroying hundreds of thousands of homes and vehicles, leading to estimated damages of $125 billion. Many of these losses were from flood, not wind, and were not covered by standard homeowners policies.
• Tropical Storm Imelda (2019): Just two years after Harvey, Imelda brought devastating and record-breaking floods to Southeast Texas, especially around Galveston and Beaumont. Some areas saw over 40 inches of rain in a short period, leading to over $5 billion in damages, thousands of flooded homes, and numerous high-water rescues.
• Spring Storms and Floods (2024 & 2025): In just the past couple of years, Texas has seen ongoing severe storms and heavy rainfall across various parts of the state, from the Panhandle to East and North Texas (including Dallas and San Antonio). These events have caused flash flooding, river overflows, widespread property damage, and resulted in tragic fatalities, even in areas not historically considered “high-risk.” 

These events underscore a critical fact: flooding can happen anywhere it rains.

Why Standard Homeowners Insurance Doesn’t Cover Floods

Your standard homeowners policy typically covers water damage that comes from inside your home, like a burst pipe or an overflowing washing machine. However, it specifically excludes flood damage. A “flood” is usually defined as an excess of water on normally dry land, affecting two or more acres or two or more properties, originating from outside the home (e.g., overflowing rivers, storm surges, flash floods, or heavy rain accumulation).  

This means even if a few inches of rising water enter your home, you could face tens of thousands of dollars in damages that your regular policy won’t pay for.

Is Flood Insurance Required by Law in Texas?

Flood insurance is not required by Texas state law for all homeowners.

However, there are specific situations where it is mandatory:

• Federally Backed Mortgages in High-Risk Zones: If your home is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), often labeled as Zone A or V on FEMA flood maps, and you have a mortgage from a federally regulated lender (like most banks and credit unions), federal law requires you to carry flood insurance.
• Previous Federal Disaster Aid: If your property has received federal disaster assistance (like FEMA grants or SBA loans) for previous flood losses, you will likely be required to maintain flood insurance to qualify for future aid, even if you sell the property. This requirement is tied to the property itself, not just the individual owner.
• Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA): In designated coastal areas, if your home was built or substantially improved after September 1, 2009, you may need to have flood insurance to be eligible for windstorm coverage through TWIA.

Even if it’s not required for you, serious consideration should be given to purchasing it.

How Does Flood Insurance Work?

Most flood insurance in Texas is purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is managed by FEMA and sold by private insurance companies. 

• Waiting Period: NFIP policies typically have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins after you purchase the policy. There are exceptions, such as when coverage is required by a lender at a loan closing.
• Two Types of Coverage:

• Building Coverage: Pays to repair or rebuild your home’s physical structure, including its foundation, electrical and plumbing systems, furnaces, water heaters, built-in appliances, permanently installed carpeting, and detached garages.
• Contents Coverage: Insures your personal belongings like clothing, furniture, electronics, curtains, portable appliances, and even food in a freezer.
• Deductibles: You choose a deductible for both building and contents coverage, typically ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. A higher deductible means a lower premium.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

Flood insurance covers direct physical loss caused by flooding, such as: 

• Overflow of inland or tidal waters.
• Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.
• Mudslides or mudflows.
• Collapse or subsidence of land along a lake or similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by floods.

What Doesn’t Flood Insurance Cover?

• Moisture or mold/mildew damage that “could have been avoided by the homeowner.”
• Currency, precious metals, and valuable papers.
• Outdoor property such as decks, fences, patios, landscaping, wells, septic systems, hot tubs, and swimming pools.
• Living expenses, like temporary housing (unless purchased via a private flood policy).
• Cars and other self-propelled vehicles (your auto comprehensive insurance may offer some protection for your car if it’s flooded).
• Business interruption losses.

What is the Average Cost of Flood Insurance in Texas?

Based on recent data, the average cost for an NFIP policy in Texas is around $784 per year, or roughly $65 a month. However, your actual premium will depend on:

• Your Home’s Specific Flood Risk: Your elevation, distance from water sources, and FEMA flood zone (high-risk zones like A and V will be more expensive than moderate-to-low risk zones like B, C, or X).
• The Amount of Coverage: Higher building and contents limits increase the cost.
• Deductible: A higher deductible lowers your premium.
• Building Characteristics: Foundation type (e.g., slab, elevated), first-floor height, number of floors, and presence of flood openings.
• Community Rating System (CRS) Discounts: If your community participates in the NFIP’s CRS program, you may qualify for premium discounts due to local floodplain management efforts.
• Private vs. NFIP: Private flood insurance can sometimes be more expensive but may offer higher limits and additional coverages.

Protecting Your Texas Home with Rollo Insurance

In Texas, floods can strike without warning whether you live near the coast, in the Hill Country, or in a quiet suburban neighborhood. For families and homeowners, the damage can be devastating, and many don’t realize that standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage. Protecting your home means protecting the people and memories inside it. At Rollo Insurance, we’re committed to helping Texas families understand their flood risk and find the right coverage. Contact us today for a personalized quote, and let us help you create a plan that keeps your home safe.