Severe storms and flooding across Wisconsin this year have served as a powerful reminder of the financial impact flooding can have on homeowners and communities.
The flooding affected more than 1,500 homes across 19 counties and the Oneida Nation, causing an estimated $27 million in damage. The widespread impact prompted Governor Tony Evers to request federal assistance from FEMA to support recovery efforts and help repair damaged public infrastructure.
As communities rebuild, these events also present an important opportunity to discuss a common misunderstanding about homeowners insurance: flood damage is generally not covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy.
Many homeowners assume that damage caused by flooding is automatically included in their homeowners insurance coverage. In reality, flood damage is typically excluded from standard homeowners policies.
Flood insurance is a separate type of coverage designed to protect against losses caused by rising water from outside the home, including flooding resulting from:
While homeowners insurance often covers sudden and accidental water damage from sources such as burst pipes or plumbing failures, damage caused by flooding is generally not covered.
A common misconception is that flood insurance is only necessary for homes located near rivers or within designated flood zones.
However, recent research from Moody’s suggests that flood exposure is growing in many areas that may not be traditionally considered high-risk. The report found that a 1-in-100-year flood event could generate more than $375 billion in uninsured losses across the United States, with approximately 65% of flood-related losses lacking insurance protection.
The study also noted that significant flood losses can occur outside FEMA-designated flood zones, particularly during extreme rainfall events. As weather patterns evolve and communities experience more intense precipitation, flooding can affect properties that have never previously experienced flood damage.
The recent flooding throughout Wisconsin is a reminder that flood risk is not always confined to areas immediately adjacent to rivers, lakes, or other waterways.
The phrase “100-year flood” is often misunderstood. It does not mean a flood occurs only once every 100 years.
Instead, a 100-year flood is a flood event that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. Multiple severe flood events can occur within a relatively short period of time, and recent weather patterns have demonstrated that extreme rainfall events can exceed historical expectations.
Every homeowner’s situation is unique. Factors such as property location, elevation, local drainage patterns, and nearby waterways can all influence flood risk.
At Wisconsin Mutual Insurance, we believe helping policyholders understand potential coverage gaps is an important part of protecting what matters most. While Wisconsin Mutual does not offer flood insurance coverage, we encourage homeowners to speak with their trusted insurance agent about their individual flood exposure and available coverage options.
Understanding what is—and is not—covered before a loss occurs can help homeowners make informed decisions and avoid unexpected financial hardship following a flood event.
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