If you own a home in Massachusetts or Rhode Island — especially anywhere near the coast, a river, or low-lying land — there’s a question you should be able to answer right now:
If your basement floods tomorrow, will your homeowners insurance pay for it?
For most homeowners in our area, the answer is no — and many don’t find out until it’s too late. At Arruda Insurance Agency, we talk to clients every week who are surprised by this gap. So let’s break it down clearly.
The Short Answer: Standard Home Insurance Does NOT Cover Flooding
Your standard homeowners insurance policy covers a lot of things — fire, theft, wind damage, liability, and certain types of water damage like a burst pipe inside your home. But it explicitly excludes flooding from an external source.
That means if water enters your home because of:
- Heavy rain that overwhelms the ground and seeps in
- A nearby river or stream overflowing its banks
- Storm surge from a hurricane or nor’easter
- Spring snowmelt causing ground saturation
- Neighborhood drainage backup (in most cases)
…your standard homeowners policy will not cover the damage. Not a penny.
This surprises a lot of people — especially in a state like Massachusetts, where we deal with coastal flooding, heavy spring rains, and the occasional nor’easter every single year.
Why This Matters So Much in Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island
Here in Westport and across the SouthCoast, we’re in one of the most flood-prone regions in New England. Proximity to Buzzards Bay, the Westport River, and miles of Atlantic coastline means that even homes that aren’t directly on the water can experience flooding during major storm events.
Rhode Island is no different. From the shores of Newport to the neighborhoods of Providence and Warwick, flooding is a real and recurring risk — not a once-in-a-lifetime event.
FEMA flood maps show that hundreds of thousands of properties in both states carry moderate-to-high flood risk. And here’s the kicker: more than 20% of flood claims nationally come from properties that are NOT in high-risk flood zones. Flooding doesn’t read maps.
So What Actually Covers Flood Damage?
The good news: flood insurance exists, and it’s more accessible than most people think. You have two main options:
1. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
The NFIP is a federal program that provides flood coverage to homeowners, renters, and business owners. It’s available through licensed insurance agents like us here at Arruda Insurance. Key things to know:
- Covers up to $250,000 for building/structure damage
- Covers up to $100,000 for contents inside your home
- There is a standard 30-day waiting period before coverage begins — so don’t wait until a storm is approaching
- Available to nearly all properties in participating communities (most MA and RI towns participate)
2. Private Flood Insurance
In recent years, private insurance companies have entered the flood market and are offering competitive alternatives to the NFIP. Private flood policies can offer advantages like:
- Higher coverage limits than NFIP
- Shorter waiting periods (sometimes as little as 10 days)
- Coverage for living expenses if you’re displaced
- Potentially lower premiums for lower-risk properties
As an independent agency, we shop both NFIP and private market options to find the best fit for your home and budget.
How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost?
Flood insurance premiums vary based on your property’s elevation, location, age of construction, and the coverage limits you choose. Under FEMA’s updated Risk Rating 2.0 system, rates are now more individualized to your specific property rather than just your flood zone.
Many homeowners in moderate-risk areas in Massachusetts and Rhode Island find that flood insurance is surprisingly affordable — sometimes just a few hundred dollars a year. High-risk coastal properties will naturally pay more, but the protection is worth it: the average NFIP flood claim is over $30,000.
3 Questions to Ask Yourself Right Now
Not sure if you need flood insurance? Ask yourself:
- Do I live within a mile of any body of water — ocean, river, pond, or bay?
- Does my property sit in a low-lying area where water pools after heavy rain?
- Would I be able to absorb $30,000–$100,000 in out-of-pocket repair costs if my home flooded?
If you answered yes to any of these, it’s worth having a conversation about flood coverage before the next storm season arrives.
Don’t Wait for the Next Storm to Find Out
At Arruda Insurance Agency, we’ve helped hundreds of MA and RI homeowners understand and close their coverage gaps — including flood. As a local, independent agency, we shop multiple carriers to find you the right protection at the best price.
Give us a call at (508) 636-6626, email us at info@arrudainsurance.com, or start a quote online at arrudainsurance.com. Let’s make sure you’re protected before you need it.
Serving Westport, Dartmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton, Newport, and communities across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Florida.