Protection for your home and belongings when the water rises—designed for homeowners and renters across Lancaster, New Holland, York, Harrisburg, and beyond.
Standard homeowners and renters policies typically do not cover damage from flooding caused by rising water. Flood insurance is designed to fill that gap, helping protect your home’s structure and the belongings inside it when heavy rain, melting snow, overflowing creeks, or storm runoff lead to a flood. Whether you live in a mapped flood zone or simply in an area where storm drains can’t always keep up, having coverage in place before the water comes is essential. Community Insurance works with clients throughout Lancaster County and across Pennsylvania to explore flood insurance options and coordinate them with existing home or renters policies. We’ll help you understand what’s covered, what’s not, and how to put a plan in place that fits your location and budget.
Building Coverage (Structure of Your Home)
Flood insurance can help protect the physical structure of your home or building—foundation, walls, floors, electrical and plumbing systems, built-in appliances, and other structural components—when damage is caused by a covered flood. For homeowners, this can mean the difference between rebuilding and facing a major out-of-pocket loss.
Contents Coverage (Your Belongings)
Contents coverage helps protect personal property such as furniture, clothing, electronics, rugs, and certain appliances damaged by a covered flood. We’ll talk through what’s eligible under building vs. contents coverage and help you select limits that reflect what you own.
Basements, Mechanical Systems & Certain Items
Flood insurance has specific rules around what is covered in basements and below-grade areas, often focusing on essential mechanical systems like furnaces, water heaters, electrical panels, and certain appliances. We’ll review how your home is set up so you understand what’s protected and where you may still have exposure.
Primary Residence, Secondary Homes & Rentals
Flood policies can often be written for primary residences, secondary or vacation homes, and in some cases for landlords and renters. We’ll discuss how you use the property—living there full-time, part-time, or renting it out—so coverage matches reality.
Coverage Through National Flood Programs and Private Markets
Depending on your location and needs, flood coverage may be available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), private flood insurers, or both. We’ll help you compare options where available, looking at limits, deductibles, waiting periods, and any special requirements tied to your property’s flood zone.
Deductibles, Limits & Waiting Periods
Flood insurance policies include specific coverage limits and deductibles, and many have waiting periods before coverage takes effect. We’ll walk you through these details so you’re not surprised by when coverage starts, what your out-of-pocket responsibility is, and how much protection you really have if a flood occurs.
Who Typically Needs Flood Insurance
Floods can happen in more places than just high-risk flood zones. Heavy rains, rapid snowmelt, drainage issues, and overflowing creeks or streams can all cause water to rise where it hasn’t before. If you live in an area mapped as a high-risk flood zone and have a mortgage, your lender may require flood insurance. But even outside these zones, coverage can be a smart way to protect your home and belongings.
Common Situations Where Flood Insurance Matters:
- Homeowners in or near designated flood zones
- Homes near rivers, creeks, streams, or low-lying areas
- Properties in towns and neighborhoods with storm drain or runoff issues
- Finished basements or lower levels used as living or storage space
- Secondary or vacation homes in flood-prone regions
- Renters who want protection for their belongings from rising water
- Homeowners who understand that standard home insurance typically excludes flood damage
We’ll help you review your property’s location, elevation, and local history so you can make an informed decision about whether flood insurance belongs in your protection plan.
Our Process for Designing Flood Insurance Coverage
Instead of simply checking a box based on what the bank asks for, we take time to understand your property, your current coverage, and your concerns about flooding. Then we look at available flood insurance options and how they interact with your homeowners or renters policy.
Review Your Property & Location
We start with a conversation about your address, type of home, foundation, basement or crawlspace, and any history of water issues.
Check Flood Zone & Lender Requirements
We review your general flood zone status and any requirements from your lender or association so we know what’s required and where you have flexibility.
Compare Available Flood Options
Where possible, we look at coverage through national flood programs and private flood insurers, comparing limits, deductibles, and estimated premiums.
Align Coverage with Your Home Policy
We coordinate building and contents flood coverage with your homeowners or renters insurance, checking for gaps and overlaps.
Implement & Support
Once your flood policy is in place, we help with documentation for your lender, renewal reminders, and questions that come up—especially during storm seasons.
How Flood Coverage Fits with Homeowners, Renters, and Umbrella
Flood insurance is designed to work alongside your existing policies, not replace them. Homeowners and renters insurance typically cover many types of losses—but exclude damage from rising water and flooding. Flood policies focus specifically on that excluded risk. A personal umbrella policy can add extra liability protection over your home and auto policies, but doesn’t replace the need for flood coverage on your property itself. We’ll help you see how flood insurance fits into your overall plan so your home, belongings, and liability are addressed in a coordinated way.
Flood Insurance - Commonly Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Doesn’t my homeowners insurance already cover floods?
In most cases, no. Standard homeowners and renters policies usually exclude damage from flooding caused by rising water—from rivers, heavy rain, storm surge, or surface water runoff. That’s why separate flood insurance exists. We’ll review your current policy so you can clearly see what is and isn’t covered.
How do I know if I’m in a flood zone?
Many properties are mapped into flood zones that indicate different levels of risk. Some zones are considered high-risk, where lenders often require flood insurance, while others are moderate- or low-risk. We’ll help you identify your general flood zone status and what it means for coverage, requirements, and pricing.
Is flood insurance only for people near rivers or the coast?
No. While properties near bodies of water are often at higher risk, flooding can also result from heavy rain, snowmelt, clogged storm drains, or rapid runoff in neighborhoods far from a river or the ocean. Even areas that haven’t flooded before can experience issues when weather patterns change or development alters drainage. That’s why it’s worth looking at flood coverage based on your specific property, not just your ZIP code.
Can renters buy flood insurance?
Yes. Renters can typically purchase flood coverage for their personal belongings, even though they don’t own the building itself. The landlord would be responsible for coverage on the structure, but your own furniture, clothing, and electronics are your responsibility. We’ll help you see how a flood policy can complement your renters insurance.
When should I buy flood insurance?
Ideally, before you think you need it. Many flood policies have a waiting period between when the policy is issued and when coverage begins—so you can’t usually buy a policy at the last minute when a storm is already on the radar. We’ll walk you through timing so you understand when your protection would begin.
Ready to Put a Plan in Place Before the Water Rises?
Whether you’re near a creek in Lancaster, on a quiet street in New Holland, or in a neighborhood anywhere in Pennsylvania where heavy rain can overwhelm the drains, flood insurance can be an important part of protecting your home and belongings. Community Insurance is here to help you understand your flood risk, explore coverage options, and put practical protection in place.