Flood insurance in the Houston area: what to know before the next storm

Home insurance does not pay for flood, flood policies take time to start, and Harvey showed that being outside the flood zone is not the same as being safe.

Last checked: November 3, 2026. General information, not advice for your property.

Short answerA standard homeowners policy does not cover flood. A new National Flood Insurance Program policy usually takes 30 days to start, so buy before storm season, not when a storm is coming. During Harvey, 68 percent of the structures damaged in Harris County were outside the mapped 100-year floodplain. (HCFCD)

Why it matters in Houston

In Hurricane Harvey (August 2017), parts of the Houston area got more than 44 inches of rain. (Fox 26 Houston, NHC totals)
The Harris County Flood Control District says 68 percent of Harvey structural damage was outside the mapped 100-year floodplain. (HCFCD)
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with the peak from mid-August to mid-October. (Fox Weather)

What a flood policy is

Separate from home insurance. Flood is excluded from standard Texas homeowners policies. (Texas Department of Insurance)
Two kinds. Policies from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), sold through insurance agents, and private flood policies.
Renters too. The NFIP sells policies to homeowners, renters and businesses. (FloodSmart)
Waiting period. New NFIP policies usually take 30 days to take effect, with exceptions, for example when the policy is required for a new mortgage. (FloodSmart) (HCFCD)

Flood or water damage?

It matters for your claim. Rising water from outside, from a bayou, ditch or street, is flood. A pipe that bursts inside, or rain that comes through a roof damaged by wind, is usually handled by your home policy. If you have both, report to both and let the adjusters sort out which part is which. See Does home insurance cover water damage?

After a flood

Do not walk or drive through flood water.
Treat flood water as dirty. Things soaked by it that cannot be cleaned and dried completely within 24 to 48 hours should be thrown away. (EPA flood cleanup guide) See clean, gray and black water.
Photograph everything before it goes to the curb, and write down what you throw away.
Report your claim to your flood insurer quickly.

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Questions people ask

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding in Houston?

No. Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood. You need a separate flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer.

How long does it take for flood insurance to start?

A new National Flood Insurance Program policy usually takes 30 days to take effect, with some exceptions such as a policy bought with a new mortgage. Buy it well before hurricane season.

Do I need flood insurance if I am not in a flood zone?

Many people outside mapped flood zones still flood. The Harris County Flood Control District says 68 percent of Harvey structural damage was outside the mapped 100-year floodplain.

Can renters buy flood insurance?

Yes. The National Flood Insurance Program offers policies for homeowners, renters and businesses. A renter's policy covers belongings, since the building is the owner's to insure.

Related guides

Houston Water Damage Guide is not a restoration company. We are a free referral directory run by Rank First Labs Ltd. This guide is general information. When water is near electricity, a ceiling is sagging, or the water is from sewage or a flood, keep out and call a professional.

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