Most homeowners, condominium, and renters insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Flood damage is covered by a flood policy issued by an insurance company or by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flood damage to your auto is typically covered by the comprehensive coverage portion of an auto insurance policy.

What to Do

💧 Document any damage with photos or video.
💧 Contact your insurance company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) immediately.
💧 Provide accurate contact information to your insurance company or agent.
💧 Remove any standing water inside your home (wear protective gear).
💧 Don’t throw anything away until your insurance adjuster says to.
💧 Contact police if your car is missing.
💧 Make only temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
💧 Save any expense receipts for temporary repairs.

What to Do

✅ Inspect the interior and exterior of your home and begin a list of damages.
✅ Be cautious around any items that have gotten wet and that are electrically-powered.
✅ Document any damage to your home and contents with photos or video.
✅ Contact your insurance company immediately and begin a claim.
✅ Ask your insurer about important deadlines in the claims process and make note of them.
✅ Ask your insurer about temporary living expenses if your home is not livable.
✅ Provide accurate information so others can easily contact you.
✅ Take notes during each call with your insurer, agent, or insurance adjuster.
✅ Do not throw anything away until your insurance adjuster says it is alright.
✅ Make only temporary repairs necessary to prevent further damage.
✅ Save any receipts from temporary repairs.

• • Start a claim as soon as possible.
  • You may have to report a claim to more than one insurer, such as your homeowners or auto insurer, TWIA, or NFIP.
  • Make sure you provide accurate contact information to your insurer.
  • Ask about any deadlines that are important and make note of them.
  • If you are a Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) policy holder, call their claims center at 800-788-8247 or visit their claims webpage.
  • If you have a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood policy and need help finding your agent, call 877-336-2627 or visit the NFIP claims webpage.

2. Document your damage. 

• • Make a list of damage inside and outside of your home or auto.
  • A list of damages will be helpful when you meet with an adjuster so that nothing is missed.
  • Take photos or video of the damage to show the condition and extent of damage.
  • Take photos or video of adjacent undamaged areas to provide context.

• • Make emergency repairs only.
  • Wait for your insurance adjuster(s) to inspect damage before making any permanent repairs or hiring someone to do so.

4. Make notes and keep receipts.

• • Make notes during each call with insurers, adjusters, and repair persons.
  • Save photos, video, documents, and receipts for temporary repairs or additional living expenses so you can submit them.

• • It may take a while for the insurance company to inspect your damage.
  • Ask your insurance company what deadlines require action on your part, and what you can expect from them next.
  • Be available, ready, and proactive when your insurance adjuster visits.
  • Clarify next steps in the process with your adjuster.
  • Begin the process of finding qualified contractors or auto repairs shops.
  • Be sure contractors or auto repair shops are insured and/or bonded.
  • Address any differences between your insurance company’s estimate and a contractor or auto repair shop’s estimate.
  • Carefully review all repair contracts before signing.
  • Make sure repairs are complete and take photos and videos of repairs for your records.
  • Take notes, save receipts, and keep detailed records about your claim including repair estimates and any communications.

• • Contact Us
  • Understanding the Residential Property Claims Process
  • Understanding the Auto Claims Process
  • Avoiding Contractor Fraud
  • Homeowners Bill of Rights
  • Auto Bill of Rights