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While fire is covered by all home insurance policies, you need to get a separate policy to be covered for floods or earthquakes. Wind damage from hurricanes and tornados is covered by many standard policies, but in some states or areas that get a lot of storms, you may need to buy an additional policy as well. To find out, talk with your insurance agent.
Here's what you need to know about getting coverage for floods and earthquakes.
Floods
Flood and water damage is not covered by standard insurance policies. To get flood insurance, you must buy a separate policy.
If you live in one of the 19,000 communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, you will be able to buy flood insurance at a set rate (the higher the risk of floods in your area, the more you will pay).
And flood insurance makes sense to buy. In the areas of the U.S. most prone to floods, you are 26 times more likely to suffer damage from flooding than from fire over the course of a 30-year mortgage.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes are not covered by standard insurance policies. But you can usually get additional earthquake insurance from the same company that sells your standard home insurance. If you live in California you should probably buy earthquake insurance. Get more information.
But other parts of the country are also at risk from earthquakes. Learn more about earthquake insurance.
Making Your Home Safer
Find out how to keep your home and family safe if a disaster happens (and what to do afterwards).
Find out how to prevent mold in your home (which isn't covered by any insurance policy).
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