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Questions & answers · Flood insurance

After a flood, is my refrigerator or stove covered as part of the house, and is my washer covered as my belongings?

Flood insuranceWho paysChecked Nov 5, 2026

From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-05 · Source: FEMA · Standard Flood Insurance Policy, Dwelling Form (44 CFR Part 61, Appendix A(1)) · Art. III.A.7 and Art. III.B.1, B.4 View original ↗

In short

  1. The federal flood policy lists some appliances under building coverage.
  2. It lists other appliances under contents coverage.
  3. Contents coverage applies only if you bought it.

What this means

This answer is about the federal National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Dwelling Form policy only. For items in a basement, see our answer about basements, because the policy limits what it covers there.

The policy lists items that are insured under building coverage only. They include built-in dishwashers, central air conditioners, furnaces, hot water heaters, plumbing fixtures, ranges, cooking stoves and ovens, and refrigerators.

It lists other items that are insured under contents coverage only. They include portable or window air conditioners, clothes washers and dryers, cook-out grills, food freezers other than walk-in and the food in any freezer, and portable microwave ovens and portable dishwashers.

Contents coverage starts with the words "If you have purchased personal property coverage." The sources do not say what your own declarations page shows, so check which coverages you bought.

Your next step

Look at your declarations page to see whether you bought contents coverage. The policy does not set a deadline for this check.

Check it yourself

Open the eCFR page and find Article III, section A, item 7, and section B, item 4.

Where this comes from (1)

  1. [1] FEMA · Standard Flood Insurance Policy, Dwelling Form (44 CFR Part 61, Appendix A(1)) · Art. III.A.7 and Art. III.B.1, B.4 · checked 2026-11-05

    7. The following items of property which are insured under Coverage A only: a. Awnings and canopies; b. Blinds; c. Built-in dishwashers; d. Built-in microwave ovens; e. Carpet permanently installed over unfinished flooring; f. Central air conditioners; g. Elevator equipment; h. Fire sprinkler systems; i. Walk-in freezers; j. Furnaces and radiators; k. Garbage disposal units; l. Hot water heaters, including solar wate…

How we found this

We matched your question to 1 official source, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-05.

What we don’t know yet

Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.

Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.

Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.

This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.

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