Is Your Home Summer-Ready?
Six quick questions. Find out if you're covered — or dangerously exposed.
Does your homeowners policy include flood coverage?
- Yes, I have separate flood insurance — Smart move. Flood insurance must be purchased separately — most homeowners don't realize this until it's too late.
- I think my homeowners policy covers it — Almost certainly not. Standard homeowners policies do NOT cover flooding. You need a separate flood policy — even if you're not in a high-risk area.
- No, I don't have flood insurance — Flooding is the most common U.S. disaster. You don't have to be in a flood zone to get hit — or to qualify for coverage.
- I'm not sure — Time to check. Call your insurer today and ask specifically about flood coverage. Spoiler: it's almost never included automatically.
Do you have a pool or trampoline on your property?
- Yes, and my insurer knows about it — Good. Both pools and trampolines create liability if someone is injured. Your insurer needs to know — and may require added liability coverage.
- Yes, but my insurer doesn't know — This is a serious risk. If someone is injured and your insurer didn't know about your pool or trampoline, your claim can be denied entirely.
- No, I don't have either — No extra liability risk here — but summer still brings backyard fire pits, grills, and guests. Make sure your liability coverage is adequate.
When did you last review whether your coverage amount reflects today's rebuild costs?
- Within the last 12 months — Great habit. Building material costs have surged — labor too. Annual reviews keep your policy from falling behind reality.
- 1–3 years ago — It's worth a fresh look. Construction costs have jumped significantly since 2021. You may be underinsured without realizing it.
- More than 3 years ago — Your coverage could be seriously behind. If your home were destroyed today, you might not get enough to fully rebuild at current prices.
- Never — I just took the default — You're not alone, but this is risky. Insurance companies won't notify you when coverage falls short. That's your job as the policyholder.
Are you planning to leave your home unoccupied for more than a week this summer?
- Yes, and I've checked my policy for vacancy rules — Perfect. Many policies limit or exclude coverage after 30–60 days of vacancy. A neighbor check-in or house-sitter can also reduce your risk.
- Yes, but I haven't thought about coverage — Worth a call to your insurer before you leave. Vacant homes face higher break-in, pipe, and fire risk — and some policies restrict claims on unoccupied properties.
- No, someone will be home — Good. Occupied homes are lower risk. Just make sure vehicles left in driveways are covered under your auto policy too.
Do you use a grill, fire pit, or outdoor fireplace regularly?
- Yes, and I've confirmed fire damage is covered — Smart. Accidental fire from outdoor cooking is a top summer insurance claim. Knowing you're covered means no nasty surprises.
- Yes, but I haven't checked my policy on this — Most homeowners policies do cover accidental fire — but confirm the details. Liability for fire spreading to a neighbor's property is a separate question.
- No, I don't use open-flame equipment — One less summer risk. Still review your policy for storm and wind damage coverage — both peak this time of year.
Have you recently switched insurers to get a lower premium without comparing coverage details?
- No — I always compare coverage, not just price — Exactly right. A cheaper policy that leaves you underinsured isn't a bargain — it's a trap.
- Yes, I switched for a lower rate — Review what you gave up. Lower premiums often mean lower coverage limits, higher deductibles, or excluded perils. Make sure the savings are real.
- I haven't switched, but I'm thinking about it — Shopping around is smart — but always compare the same coverage levels. Don't let a lower number blind you to a worse policy.
Summer is officially peak season for homeowners insurance claims — and this year, the financial stakes are higher than ever. Storm damage from wind, hail, and heavy rain drives a spike in claims every June through August. But the single most common disaster — flooding — catches most homeowners completely off guard.
"You don't have to be in an area that's at severe risk of flood to get flood insurance," said Kaz Weida, an insurance expert with NerdWallet. "I wish more homeowners knew that." Flood coverage must be purchased as a separate policy — it is never bundled into a standard homeowners plan.
You get a quote and think, 'Oh, this is cheaper.' But if you don't pay attention to what coverage it's actually providing, you could end up seriously underinsured.Leslie Kasperowicz, Editor-in-Chief, Insurance.com
What Your Policy Probably Covers — And What It Doesn't
| Risk | Standard Policy? | What You Need | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind & Hail Damage | ✅ Usually Yes | Standard policy — check your deductible | |
| Flooding | ❌ No | Separate flood insurance policy required | |
| Fire (incl. grill/fire pit) | ✅ Usually Yes | Confirm accidental fire is covered | |
| Pool Liability (guest injury) | ⚠️ Only if disclosed | Must tell insurer — or claim can be denied | |
| Trampoline Liability | ⚠️ Only if disclosed | Must tell insurer — or claim can be denied | |
| Vacant Home (vacation) | ⚠️ Restricted after 30–60 days | Check policy or arrange house-sitter | |
| Detached Garage / Structure | ⚠️ Limited coverage | May need additional dwelling coverage | |
| Vehicles in Driveway | ❌ No | Covered under auto policy — verify limits |
The financial math behind rising premiums is straightforward, even if the implications are painful. When the cost to rebuild a home rises — and it has climbed sharply since 2021 due to supply chain shocks, labor shortages, and tariff-driven material costs — insurance companies recalibrate their exposure and raise rates accordingly.
Federal cuts have compounded the problem. The FEMA programs BRIC and NFIP, which fund flood mitigation infrastructure and subsidized flood coverage for homeowners, have faced significant budget cuts. "When we don't have those programs working to reduce the risk, insurance companies then calculate that risk into their rates," explained Leslie Kasperowicz, editor-in-chief at Insurance.com.
Federal Cuts: What's Changing for Homeowners
With FEMA Programs
- BRIC Infrastructure Resilience Funded flood-protection infrastructure
- NFIP Affordable Flood Insurance Subsidized policies for homeowners
- Early warning systems funded
- Disaster response resources available
- Lower insurer risk = lower rates
After Cuts
- Cut BRIC Program Infrastructure protections reduced
- Reduced NFIP Support Fewer affordable options
- Prediction models defunded
- Emergency response gaps created
- Higher insurer risk = higher premiums for you
It is your responsibility as a homeowner. We need to take a look and make sure that your coverage has kept pace with costs in your area.Kaz Weida, Insurance Expert, NerdWallet
Summer Insurance Myths — Busted
My homeowners policy covers flooding.
Verdict: false
Standard homeowners policies almost never cover flood damage. Flooding is the most common U.S. disaster, and it requires a separate flood insurance policy. You can get one even if you're not in a designated flood zone.
I don't need to tell my insurer about my pool or trampoline.
Verdict: false
If someone is injured on your property and your insurer didn't know about your pool or trampoline, your claim can be denied. Always disclose these features — even if it adds to your premium.
Switching to a cheaper insurer saves you money.
Verdict: mostly false
Lower premiums often mean lower coverage limits or excluded perils. If your new policy doesn't cover what you need, you haven't saved money — you've just deferred a much larger expense.
Only high-risk flood areas need flood insurance.
Verdict: false
Significant flood events happen outside designated flood zones every year. FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program is available to most homeowners regardless of their official risk designation.
My insurance company will notify me if I'm underinsured.
Verdict: false
Insurers are not required to proactively review your coverage adequacy. As building costs rise, your coverage limit can fall behind without anyone telling you. That review is entirely the policyholder's responsibility.
How Your Premiums Are Being Driven Up
Your Summer Coverage Checklist
- Review Your Coverage Limit — Ask your insurer what it would actually cost to rebuild your home today — not what it cost when you first bought your policy. Costs have risen sharply.
- Get a Flood Insurance Quote — Call your insurer or visit FloodSmart.gov. Flood policies are separate, available in most areas, and often less expensive than homeowners assume.
- Disclose Your Pool, Trampoline, and Fire Pit — If you haven't told your insurer about these features, do it now. Hidden amenities can void a claim when you need it most.
- Check Your Vacancy Rules Before You Travel — Many policies limit coverage for homes unoccupied more than 30–60 days. Ask your insurer — and arrange a neighbor or house-sitter check-in.
- Don't Shop on Price Alone — When comparing policies, match coverage limits and deductibles exactly. A cheaper policy with lower limits isn't a deal — it's a risk transfer onto you.
- Set a Calendar Reminder to Review Annually — Your insurer won't do this for you. Set a reminder every summer to compare your coverage to current rebuild costs in your neighborhood.
Take Action Today
- Get Flood Insurance: Visit FloodSmart.gov to find a licensed agent and get a quote — available for most homeowners, not just those in flood zones.
- Read Your Policy: Pull out your declarations page and check your coverage limit, deductible, and list of exclusions. Look for the word 'flood' — it should say it's excluded.
- Call Your Agent: Ask specifically: 'Does my policy cover flooding? Do I have enough to fully rebuild at today's costs? Am I covered if my home is vacant for two weeks?'
- Disclose Property Features: Tell your insurer about your pool, trampoline, detached structures, or any home business. Surprises at claim time can mean zero payout.
What Are BRIC and NFIP — and Why Do Cuts Matter to You?
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program was a FEMA grant program that funded local flood walls, improved drainage systems, storm-resistant infrastructure, and other projects that physically reduced a community's exposure to weather disasters. When fewer of those protections exist, homes are more exposed — and insurance companies price that exposure into your premium.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the federal backstop that provides flood insurance to most Americans. It also funds the flood maps that determine where homes are officially considered high-risk, and the prediction models that give communities time to prepare before a storm hits.
Cuts to these programs don't just affect people who live in flood plains. They reduce the data and early-warning infrastructure that helps all insurers price risk — which means more uncertainty gets baked into every homeowners insurance premium, including yours.