Questions & answers · Flood insurance
Part of my flooring was damaged by a flood. Does the federal flood policy pay to replace the whole matching set?
Flood insuranceHow to fileChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: FEMA · Standard Flood Insurance Policy, Dwelling Form (44 CFR Part 61, Appendix A(1)) · Art. VII.A (Pair and Set Clause) · Art. VII.A View original ↗
In short
- The federal flood policy has a Pair and Set Clause for an article that is part of a pair or set.
- The insurer can choose to pay the cost of replacing the damaged article, less depreciation.
- Or the insurer can pay the fair proportion of the total value of the pair or set.
What this means
This answer is about the federal National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Dwelling Form policy only. The policy has a Pair and Set Clause in its general conditions. If an article that is part of a pair or set is lost or damaged, the insurer has the option of paying one of two amounts. One is the cost of replacing the damaged article minus its depreciation. The other is the fair proportion of the total value of the pair or set that the damaged article bears to the pair or set.
The clause text does not use the word "flooring" or say whether floor boards or tiles count as a set. The sources do not say. The insurer decides how the clause applies to your loss, and a private flood policy may differ.
Your next step
Ask your flood insurer in writing how it applied the Pair and Set Clause to your flooring and which amount it chose. For a price dispute, see our answer on appraisal. The clause gives no deadline.
Check it yourself
Open the eCFR page and find "Pair and Set Clause" under "VII. General Conditions."
Where this comes from (1)
[1] FEMA · Standard Flood Insurance Policy, Dwelling Form (44 CFR Part 61, Appendix A(1)) · Art. VII.A (Pair and Set Clause) · Art. VII.A · checked 2026-11-06
A. Pair and Set Clause In case of loss to an article that is part of a pair or set, we will have the option of paying you: 1 . An amount equal to the cost of replacing the lost, damaged, or destroyed article, minus its depreciation; or 2 . The amount that represents the fair proportion of the total value of the pair or set that the lost, damaged, or destroyed article bears to the pair or set.
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.
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.
Related answers
- How long does a flood insurance claim take, can I get money early, and what if I disagree?
- I filed a flood insurance claim. When will the adjuster contact me and what should I ask?
- My trailer was flooded and I have no insurance. Does the federal flood policy cover a trailer or RV?
- After a flood, can I keep the damaged property, or can I give it to the insurance company?
Answer id CQ3059. Spotted an error? Tell us.