What is flood insurance?
Flood insurance¹ helps cover physical damage to your home and belongings from floods or related losses from rising water. You can purchase a policy online from Beyond Floods through National General, an Allstate company, or you can purchase a policy online through a government-run National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Do I need flood insurance?
Yes, you should consider getting flood insurance to protect your home and your personal belongings in the event of a flood. Although some home lenders don’t require flood insurance, FEMA recommends flood insurance for every home in the U.S.
When you purchase a flood policy through Allstate, you're helping to protect yourself from the financial burden flooding can cause. Instead of paying out of pocket or taking out loans to cover your expenses, flood insurance can help make the recovery process quicker, easier and less costly.
What does flood insurance cover?
When it comes to flood insurance, you can choose from two types of coverage: building property (structure) and personal property (contents).
Building property (structure) coverage
Covers your home’s physical structure, including electrical and plumbing systems, refrigerators, window blinds and more.
Personal property (contents) coverage
This covers your belongings inside your home. Things like clothing, furniture, microwaves and televisions, at their value at the time that they’re damaged or destroyed.
Flood insurance options
Beyond Floods
Private flood insurance offered by National General, an Allstate company.
get a Beyond Flood quoteNational Flood Insurance Program
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a federal program administered by FEMA.
get an NFIP quoteWhat’s the difference between Beyond Floods and NFIP?
| Beyond Floods | National Flood Insurance Program | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of insurance | Private (National General, an Allstate company) |
Government (FEMA-backed, subsidized) |
| Waiting period | Loan closing 0-day wait All other 7-day wait |
Loan closing 0-day wait All other 30-day wait |
| Types of buildings that can be covered | Residential Single family |
Residential buildings and units Single family or multi-unit (e.g., townhouse, condo) Non-residential/commercial |
| Maximum payout for structure | Residential Up to $1.5M |
Residential Up to $250,000/single family home or condo unit Non-residential/commercial Up to $500,000 |
| Maximum payout for contents (your belongings) |
Residential Up to $750,000 |
Residential Non-residential/commercial |
| Basement coverage | Yes | Limited |
| Displacement costs (expenses you have while you can’t live at home) |
$5K minimum; up to $150K | None |
| Price | Get a Beyond Flood quote | Get an NFIP quote |
| Payment/billing options | Direct and Lender-billed options:
|
Annual only |
What's not covered by flood insurance?
While there’s a lot that flood insurance covers, here are a few examples of what may not be covered:
- Damage caused by moisture, mildew or mold that could have been avoided by the property owner
- Currency, precious metals and valuable papers like stock certificates
- Property and belongings outside of a building like trees, fences and swimming pools
- Living expenses like temporary housing
Flood insurance FAQs
Private flood insurance often provides higher coverage limits, broader protection, and more flexibility than the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
- NFIP coverage caps at $250,000 for the structure and $100,000 for contents
- NFIP does not cover belongings stored in basements
- Private policies may offer higher limits, better contents coverage, and shorter waiting periods
Yes. Every property has some flood risk—only the level of risk changes.
- 1 in 3 flood insurance claims come from low- and moderate-risk zones
- "Undetermined risk" doesn’t mean no risk—it means the analysis isn’t complete
- Flood zones and maps change, so it’s smart to review your risk annually
While flood insurance may not be legally required outside high-risk zones, it is strongly recommended to ensure faster recovery and financial protection after a flood.
¹Subject to National Flood Insurance Program terms, conditions and availability. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). NFIP flood policies are underwritten by the federal government and sold and administered by private insurance companies like Allstate through the Write Your Own (WYO) Program. © 2026 Allstate Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL.
Please note that this website provides only a summary of Flood Insurance coverage, written to illustrate in general terms how flood insurance works. Your insurance policy is the legal contract that contains the terms and limitations of your coverage. You should carefully review the contents of your policy. All products and coverages are subject to availability and limitations. Whether an accident or other loss is covered is subject to the terms and conditions of your insurance policy.
Insurance, coverage and discounts are subject to terms and conditions, which may vary by state. Discount amounts and total savings will vary. Other terms, conditions and exclusions may apply.
Beyond Floods branded policies underwritten by member companies of National General, An Allstate Company. Terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Availability may vary by state. Admitted Private Flood: FL & NJ. Excess & Surplus Private Flood: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, Ml, MN, MS, NC, NM, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TX, VA, WA, WV.
NFIP policies are available in all states, including the District of Columbia subject to National Flood Insurance Program terms, conditions and availability. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). NFIP flood policies are underwritten by the federal government and sold and administered by private insurance companies like Allstate through the Write Your Own (WYO) Program. © 2024 Allstate Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL.
* NFIP Standard Flood Insurance Policy Summary of Coverage
* NFIP Commercial Property Summary of Coverage
* NFIP Residential Condominium Buildings Summary of Coverage