Questions & answers · Flood insurance
The power went out because of the flood and the food in my freezer spoiled. Does the federal flood policy pay?
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. V.D.7 and Art. III.B.4.f View original ↗
In short
- The federal flood policy does not pay for loss caused by power failure.
- There is an exception when the failure comes from flood damage to power equipment at your location.
- Food in a freezer is listed as covered contents if you bought contents coverage.
What this means
This answer is about the federal National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Dwelling Form policy only.
The policy says it does not insure direct physical loss caused directly or indirectly by "power, heating, or cooling failure unless the failure results from direct physical loss by or from flood to power, heating, or cooling equipment on the described location." That wording ties the exception to equipment at your property.
The policy also lists "food freezers, other than walk-in, and food in any freezer" as property insured under contents coverage, and contents coverage applies only if you bought it. The sources do not say how an insurer treats spoiled food in a specific case, so ask your insurer.
Your next step
Ask your flood insurer in writing which cause it gave for the food loss. The policy gives no deadline for this question.
Check it yourself
Open the eCFR page and find Article V, section D, item 7.
Where this comes from (1)
[1] FEMA · Standard Flood Insurance Policy, Dwelling Form (44 CFR Part 61, Appendix A(1)) · Art. V.D.7 and Art. III.B.4.f · checked 2026-11-05
D. We do not insure for direct physical loss caused directly or indirectly by any of the following: … 7. Power, heating, or cooling failure unless the failure results from direct physical loss by or from flood to power, heating, or cooling equipment on the described location; … f. Food freezers, other than walk-in, and food in any freezer;
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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