Questions & answers · Home insurance
My home policy does not cover floods, sewer backup or earthquakes. Can I buy those separately?
Home insuranceWho paysTexasChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: TDI View original ↗
In short
- Most home policies do not cover floods.
- Some things can be added to your policy for an extra cost.
- Flood policies often have a 30-day wait before they start.
What this means
TDI says most home policies do not cover damage caused by floods. It tells you to ask your home insurance agent about a flood policy from your company or from the National Flood Insurance Program. Most flood policies "have a 30-day waiting period before kicking in", so TDI says not to wait for an approaching storm [1].
For other gaps, TDI says most companies offer endorsements, which are policy add-ons. Common ones cover backup of sewers or drains, damage to foundations or slabs, extra construction or repair costs to meet local building codes, mold removal, and damage from earthquakes [1].
TDI says home policies include liability protection, but the amount is limited. A separate umbrella liability policy can add more [1].
Your next step
Ask your agent in writing which of these add-ons you have and which you can buy, and what each costs. If your agent does not sell flood insurance, TDI gives a phone number for help (877-336-2627) [1].
Check it yourself
Open the TDI guide below and read "Other coverages you might need".
Where this comes from (1)
[1] TDI · checked 2026-11-06
Most home policies don't cover damage caused by floods. … Talk to your home insurance agent about getting a flood policy from your insurance company or the National Flood Insurance Program. If your agent doesn't sell flood insurance, call 877-336-2627 for help. Most flood policies have a 30-day waiting period before kicking in so don't wait for an approaching storm before deciding to buy coverage. … Home policies pro…
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 2026-11-06.
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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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