Basement Coverage Limitations

Basement coverage under the Standard Flood Insurance Policy (SFIP) consists of specific building items in a basement and cleanup. Items must be connected to a power source, where appropriate, and/or installed in their functioning location.

Cleanup expenses can include pumping out trapped floodwater, labor to remove or extract spent cleaning solutions, treatment for mold and mildew, and structural drying of salvageable interior foundation elements.

Items Covered

Examples of covered items include:

• Central air conditioners
• Fuel tanks and the fuel in them
• Furnaces and water heaters
• Sump pumps, heat pumps, and well water tanks and pumps
• Electrical outlets and switches
• Elevators, dumbwaiters, and related equipment
• Drywall that is unfinished and un-taped for walls and ceilings
• Electrical junction and circuit breaker boxes
• Stairways and staircases attached to the building
• Foundation elements and anchorage systems required to support a building

Basement Contents Coverage

What kind of contents coverage is provided in a basement under the NFIP Standard Flood Insurance Policy?

Contents covered items, provided they are connected to a power source, include:

• Clothes washers and dryers
• Air conditioning units, portable or window type
• Food freezers and the food in them (excluding walk-in freezers)

Basement Coverage Exclusions

What kind of items are excluded from coverage in a basement under the NFIP Standard Flood Insurance Policy?

Items located in the basement and not specifically listed in your flood insurance policy are not covered. Additionally, SFIPs do not pay for removal of non-covered building or personal property, Contents not specifically listed above are not covered.

Additional Resources

• Basement Flooding Infographic
• FEMA Fact Sheet: Coverage in a Basement
• Summary of Coverage - Residential

This page contains information about the NFIP. Find more NFIP Resources.