With more El Nino rains on the way this season, it's important for Homeowners to understand that Homeowners Insurance does not cover these flooding situations. You need a separate flood insurance policy for this.

As a recent article from the San Diego Union Tribune reminds us, water falling from the sky would be covered by home insurance. Water that comes from the bottom up, such as an overflowing lake, would only be covered by flood insurance.

Local insurance agents say they have been receiving more calls for flood insurance, before and during a major rainstorm, an indicator of what El Niño could bring for San Diego County.

“Once it hits the ground is kind of when homeowners insurance coverage stops,” said Brad Sund, a Mission Hills State Farm agent.

Some soon-to-be flooded homeowners are going to insurance agents at the last minute for flood insurance, but being turned down by insurance agents. One San Diego man called insurance agent Tracy Webster.

“He was screaming, ‘Can you sell me (flood insurance) right now?” Webster said. “We said we’re sorry but you can’t buy it during a torrential downpour.”

You can buy flood insurance at any time, but it typically takes up to 30 days for coverage to start. Several government agencies and insurance providers began warning consumers as early as this summer — especially because standard home insurance plans do not cover floods.

Bottom Line

If you don't have flood insurance and you feel you are in an area that is prone to flooding, it is wise to investigate your flood insurance options now and have it in place before the next devastating storm hits.