What a standard policy covers, at a glance
| Disaster | Standard homeowners policy? | Where to get coverage | Key catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfire and smoke | Typically covered | Your homeowners policy; FAIR plan if you can't get one | Living-expense limits; availability in high-risk areas |
| Hurricane and wind | Typically covered | Your homeowners policy | Percentage hurricane or wind deductibles |
| Flood | Generally not covered | NFIP or private flood insurance | 30-day waiting period; NFIP caps |
| Earthquake | Not covered in most cases | Separate earthquake policy (in California, often the CEA) | Deductibles of 5%–25% of dwelling coverage |
Sources: FEMA/NFIP, NAIC, California Earthquake Authority, Triple-I.
Flood: the most common gap
FEMA calls flooding the top and most expensive natural hazard in the U.S., yet standard homeowners, renters and commercial policies generally don't cover it. That means a home with full wind and fire coverage can still have no protection if water does the damage.
NFIP coverage limits
- Homeowners: up to $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for personal property.
- Renters: up to $100,000 for belongings.
- Businesses: up to $500,000 for the building and $500,000 for contents.
Policies run for one year and must be renewed. The NFIP also depends on Congress: as of October 2026 its authorization runs through December 11, 2026. If it lapses, FEMA can't issue new policies, though existing policies stay in force until they expire and claims continue to be paid as funds allow. Private flood insurance isn't affected by a lapse.
If your home would cost more than $250,000 to rebuild, ask a local agent about private flood insurance, which NerdWallet notes may also be cheaper than the NFIP in some areas.
The 30-day waiting period
An NFIP policy generally takes effect 30 days after you buy it, so you can't wait until a storm is in the forecast. FEMA lists a few exceptions:
- No wait if you buy flood insurance in connection with making, increasing, extending or renewing a mortgage.
- No wait for extra coverage added on a renewal bill.
- A 1-day wait if your property is newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone and you buy within 13 months of the map change.
- The wait may be waived for flooding on burned federal land if you buy within 60 days of the fire being contained.
What flood insurance costs
NerdWallet's analysis of 2026 NFIP data puts the national average at about $976 a year ($81 a month). Costs vary widely: Alaska ($428) and Maryland ($505) were lowest, while West Virginia ($1,840), Vermont ($1,697) and Pennsylvania ($1,513) were highest. Policies in high-risk zones (A or V) averaged $1,114, compared with $745 elsewhere. Under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 pricing, premiums reflect your home's distance to water, first-floor height and rebuild cost, and most annual increases are capped at 18%. Communities with strong flood-mitigation programs earn discounts of 5% to 45%.
Don't skip flood coverage just because you're outside a high-risk zone. From 2013 to 2023, about a third of NFIP claims came from properties outside high-risk flood areas.
Hurricanes and wind: covered, with a big deductible
Wind damage from hurricanes, tornadoes and other storms is typically covered by a homeowners policy. The catch is the deductible. According to Triple-I, 19 states and Washington, D.C. have hurricane deductibles: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.
How percentage deductibles work
Instead of a flat dollar amount, a hurricane or wind deductible is a percentage of your home's insured value, usually 1% to 5% and higher in some coastal areas. Florida offers choices of $500, 2%, 5% or 10%. On a $300,000 home with a 5% deductible, you pay the first $15,000 of storm damage. Other claims, such as fire or theft, still use your regular flat deductible.
| Dwelling coverage | 2% deductible | 5% deductible | 10% deductible |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $4,000 | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| $300,000 | $6,000 | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| $500,000 | $10,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
Source: our calculations using the percentage method described by Triple-I.
Named-storm, hurricane and wind/hail deductibles
Policies differ in what triggers the special deductible. Triple-I explains that triggers can include the National Weather Service naming a tropical storm, issuing a hurricane watch or warning, or a storm reaching a certain strength. Louisiana shows the differences clearly: a named-storm deductible applies from tropical-storm strength (39 mph winds), a hurricane deductible from hurricane strength (74 mph), and a windstorm/hail deductible applies to wind from any source, including tornadoes. Louisiana insurers can apply only one named-storm or hurricane deductible per season. Check which type your policy uses and how long the trigger window lasts after the storm.
Wildfire: covered, if you can get a policy
The NAIC says homeowners and renters policies typically cover damage from wildfire, smoke, soot and ash to your home and belongings. Detached structures such as garages and sheds are generally covered, up to a certain percentage set by your policy. Your home policy won't cover wildfire damage to your car; comprehensive auto coverage would.
Additional living expenses
Most policies pay additional living expenses while your home is repaired or rebuilt, including temporary housing, extra food costs, furniture rental, storage and transportation. Some pay during a mandatory evacuation, but some insurers impose waiting periods or require actual damage first. The NAIC warns that your limit may not cover all your needs, so review it with your insurer and consider raising it.
When insurers won't write a policy
In high-risk wildfire areas, the bigger problem is often finding coverage. California's FAIR Plan, the state's insurer of last resort, had 696,562 dwelling and commercial policies in June 2026, up 157% from September 2022. Its policies cover fire only, so homeowners need a second policy for other risks such as theft and liability. Our guide to rising home insurance rates explains what's driving the retreat.
Earthquake: almost always a separate policy
The California Earthquake Authority puts it plainly: in most cases, earthquake damage to your home is not covered by a homeowners policy. In California, you can buy a CEA policy through a participating home insurer at any time, without waiting for your homeowners renewal.
- Deductibles: 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% or 25% of your dwelling coverage. On a home insured for $500,000, a 15% deductible means you'd pay the first $75,000.
- Belongings: $5,000 or $25,000 limits.
- Loss of use: $1,500 up to $100,000, with no deductible.
- Emergency repairs: the first $1,500 is paid with no deductible.
- Building code upgrades: $10,000 included, with $20,000 or $30,000 available.
- Retrofit discount: up to 25% for older homes that have been properly retrofitted.
FAIR plans: the last resort
If no private insurer will cover your home, a state FAIR plan may. The NAIC says 33 states have some form of FAIR or residual market plan. These plans are backed by all the private insurers licensed in the state. Coverage varies, but plans usually include dwelling coverage at minimum; personal property and other structures are often optional, and loss of use and liability are generally not offered. The NAIC notes FAIR plans are typically more expensive and offer more limited protection than regular-market insurance, so use one as a bridge and keep shopping. In Florida, the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance has shrunk to about 270,000 policies from a 2023 peak of about 1.4 million as private insurers returned.
A disaster-readiness checklist
- Find your deductibles. Look on your declarations page for any hurricane, named-storm, wind/hail or earthquake deductible, and convert the percentage to dollars.
- Set aside cash for it. A percentage deductible can exceed $10,000. Build it into your emergency fund.
- Buy flood coverage early. Allow for the 30-day wait, and check your community's flood risk even outside high-risk zones.
- Check your additional living expense limit and whether it pays during evacuations.
- Make a home inventory with photos or video. The NAIC recommends one to support claims.
- After a disaster, keep records of every receipt and conversation with your insurer, verify that any public adjuster is licensed, and watch for contractor scams. Your state insurance department can help with disputes.
- Compare insurers on claims service. Our comparison of the best home insurance companies includes J.D. Power's 2026 claims rankings. Renters can see our renters insurance guide, and buyers should review our checklist for homeowners insurance before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
Generally no. FEMA says standard homeowners, renters and commercial policies don't cover flood damage. You need a separate policy from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood insurer.
How long does it take for flood insurance to start?
An NFIP policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase. There's no wait if you buy it in connection with a new, increased, extended or renewed mortgage, and a 1-day wait if your property was just mapped into a high-risk zone and you buy within 13 months.
Does homeowners insurance cover wildfire?
Typically yes. The NAIC says homeowners and renters policies generally cover damage from wildfire, smoke, soot and ash, plus additional living expenses while the home is repaired. Getting a policy in high-risk areas can be the harder part.
What is a hurricane deductible?
It's a separate deductible for hurricane damage, set as a percentage of your home's insured value, usually 1% to 5%. Triple-I says 19 states and Washington, D.C. have them. A 5% deductible on a $300,000 home is $15,000.
Is earthquake damage covered by home insurance?
In most cases, no. You need a separate earthquake policy. In California, the California Earthquake Authority sells policies through participating insurers, with deductibles from 5% to 25% of dwelling coverage.
What is a FAIR plan?
A state-mandated insurance plan of last resort for homeowners who can't get coverage in the regular market. The NAIC says 33 states have some form of one. They are usually more expensive and cover less than a standard policy.
Sources
- FEMA – Your NFIP flood insurance decision (flyer, Oct. 2024)
- FEMA – Don't wait: Buy flood insurance today
- FEMA – Understanding Risk Rating 2.0 (fact sheet, 2025)
- NerdWallet – How much does flood insurance cost? (May 2026)
- Triple-I – Background on hurricane and windstorm deductibles
- NAIC – What should I do after a wildfire? (Mar. 2025)
- NAIC – Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) plans
- California Earthquake Authority – Does homeowners insurance cover earthquakes?
- California Earthquake Authority – Coverages and deductibles
- Beinsure – California insurers pledge new policies (Sept. 2026)
- United Policyholders – California's FAIR Plan carries growing load (Oct. 2026)
- Insurance Business – Citizens cuts policy count to 270,000 (Sept. 2026)
- Congressional Research Service – What happens if the NFIP lapses? (updated Sept. 2026)
Rates, fees and terms change often. Figures were checked in October 2026; confirm current details with the provider before you apply.