As homes and businesses along the flooded Red River in North Dakota and Minnesota start recovery efforts, special attention is being paid to health hazards and safety concerns that are common to flooded areas, and the importance of understanding homeowners insurance policy coverage when it comes to floods and other natural disasters.

Unfortunately, cleanup may be particularly costly for some in the Red River flood zone because, as the Associated Press is reporting, less than 800 homes in the areas hit hardest by the flood have homeowners insurance policies that cover flood damage.

It is important to remember that most homeowners insurance policies DO NOT automatically cover damages caused by natural disasters. The fact is that, if you want to make sure that your home is protected (at least financially) from disasters like floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes, you’ll need to purchase additional insurance that is specific to those events. But keep in mind that some private insurance companies won’t provide coverage for natural disasters even if you’re willing to pay extra, so you may need to seek assistance from federal programs like the National Flood Insurance Program, especially if you live in a flood-prone area.

  • EPA: Flooding Health and Safety Information
  • CDC: After a Flood: Precautions When Returning to Your Home | Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
  • N.Y. Times Topics: Red River Flood of 2009
  • AP: Few in Flood Zone Have Insurance
  • Minneapolis Star Tribune: Fargo Works to Protect Good Water from the Bad
  • Homeowners Insurance: What You Need to Know (FindLaw)
  • Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Natural Disasters? (FindLaw)
  • National Flood Insurance Program (FEMA)
  • An Overview of Bad Faith Insurance (provided by The Tawwater Law Firm)

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