Basement Coverage Limitations

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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.

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

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)

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

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