Flood Insurance
Flood is excluded from a standard homeowners policy, so it needs its own coverage. Our online application is for private residential flood insurance; available coverage and terms depend on the property.
Licensed in California
Menlo Insurance Services is the filed name of Opero Labs Inc. California license #6020106.
Eight brokers, one team
Our eight brokers work together as one Menlo team, so you can reach a person who understands your account.
Independent brokerage
We hold appointments with multiple carriers, so the quote is shopped rather than served from one shelf.
What this policy can cover
The building
Structural flood damage to the home itself: foundation, walls, electrical, plumbing, and permanently installed fixtures.
Contents
Furniture, electronics, and belongings, usually as a separate limit you choose alongside the building coverage.
Debris removal
Cleaning up and removing flood-deposited debris after the water recedes.
Covered by NFIP or private markets
Federal NFIP policies and private flood carriers both write this. Coverage terms and availability differ by policy.
Built for California homeowners
- Owners a lender requires to carry flood coverage
- Homes near a creek, coast, or historic flood area
- Buyers closing in a mapped flood zone
- Anyone who learned their homeowners policy excludes flood
Coverages that pair with this
Homeowners Insurance
The structure, everything inside it, and your liability as the owner of the place it happened.
Landlord Insurance
The building, the liability, and the rent you stop collecting while a covered loss is repaired.
Umbrella Insurance
Extra liability limit sitting above the home and auto policies you already carry, for a fraction of what raising each one costs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need flood insurance in California?
No state law requires it, but a lender will require it if the home is in a high-risk flood zone, and most homeowners policies exclude flood entirely. Even outside mapped high-risk zones, a large share of flood claims come from lower-risk areas, so it is worth pricing.
How much does flood insurance cost?
It depends on the home's flood zone, elevation, age, and the coverage limits. FEMA's newer pricing reflects each property's specific risk rather than a flat zone rate, and private carriers price independently. Available prices and terms depend on the property's eligibility.
What does flood insurance cover?
The building's structure and, as a separate limit, your contents. It pays for direct physical flood damage. It generally does not cover temporary housing, vehicles, or outdoor property, which is why we walk through the exclusions before you buy.
What is the difference between NFIP and private flood insurance?
NFIP is the federal program with standardized coverage and limits. Private flood carriers can offer higher limits, added benefits like temporary housing, and sometimes lower prices, but availability varies by property. This online application is for private residential flood coverage.
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
No. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood, which surprises people after a loss. Flood needs its own policy. A burst pipe inside the home is a different, covered peril, so the cause matters.
How do I get a flood insurance quote?
Start with the type of home and the property's ZIP code, then provide the property and coverage details. The online application collects the information needed to review private residential flood coverage. Confirm the available effective date before relying on coverage.
Does this policy cover temporary housing?
Standard NFIP policies do not pay additional living expenses while the home is repaired. Some private policies do.
Does this policy cover outside property?
Landscaping, decks, fences, and pools are generally excluded.
Does this policy cover cars?
Flood damage to a vehicle is covered under the comprehensive part of an auto policy, not flood insurance.
Does this policy cover sewer backup without flooding?
A backup not caused by a flood event is a homeowners endorsement, not a flood claim.
Can you write this where I live?
We are currently licensed in California only. Start a quote if the business or risk is in California, and we will confirm eligibility before you spend time on it.
What happens after I start a quote?
Tell us about the coverage you need and complete the application. We use those details to approach suitable markets and may ask follow-up questions. Requesting a quote does not put coverage in force.
Get a flood insurance quote for your home
Start with the type of home and ZIP code, then tell us about the property and the coverage you need. We use those details to review private residential flood options.