Does Renters Insurance Cover Flooding in a NYC Basement Apartment?

Usually not. Standard renters insurance does not cover flood damage. That surprises many people in basement and ground-floor apartments in NYC, which are the units most likely to flood from heavy rain and sewer backups.

What Does Renters Insurance Cover for Water Damage?

Renters insurance usually covers sudden and accidental water damage from inside the building, like a burst pipe or an upstairs leak. It usually does not cover water that comes in from outside, rising groundwater or storm surge.

Is Sewer Backup Covered for Renters?

Only if your renters policy has a water backup endorsement, or if the backup was directly caused by a flood and you have flood insurance. Some higher-end apartment policies cover sewer backups that are not caused by general flooding.

Can Renters Get Flood Insurance?

Yes. Renters can buy contents-only flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. Keep in mind:

• NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so they cannot cover a flood that already happened.

• NFIP contents are paid at actual cash value, meaning depreciation is taken off.

• Belongings kept in a basement have very limited NFIP coverage.

Does My Landlord's Insurance Cover My Things?

No. Your landlord's policy covers the building, not your belongings. Your landlord is still responsible for making the apartment livable again. See Is My Landlord Responsible for Flood Cleanup in NYC?

Where Else Can Renters Get Help?

• FEMA assistance, if a federal disaster declaration is approved. Renters can apply whether or not they have insurance. See Will FEMA Help If I Don't Have Flood Insurance in NYC?

• A City damage report at reportdamage.nyc.gov and a 311 complaint for building repairs.

• The NYS Department of Financial Services Disaster Hotline at (800) 339-1759.

Need Help?

Call Flood Cleanup NYC at 212-600-9290.