You paid the premiums. You bought the flood policy. You’re feeling safe. Then the water comes — and things get weird. Really weird. Like, “your backyard swimming pool floated through the neighbor’s fence” weird. Or “your pet goat got rescued by a kayak” weird.
Floods don’t just ruin carpets — they create bizarre, borderline absurd situations that leave homeowners wondering: Is that actually covered? This article dives into five real (and surprisingly common) head-scratchers that will test the limits of your policy — and maybe your sanity.
Because when it comes to flood insurance, the devil’s in the deductible… and the exclusions.
1️⃣ My Swimming Pool Was Uplifted and Cracked in Half
The situation:
Heavy flooding caused hydrostatic pressure to build underneath your empty (or even half-full) in-ground pool. One day it’s there… the next, it’s 5 feet higher, cracked in two, and waterlogged in the neighbor’s azaleas.
The weird part:
The pool structure wasn’t destroyed by water inside it, but by water under it. That’s not always considered direct flood damage.
Is it covered?
Probably not. Most standard flood insurance (including FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP) only covers damage to the main building structure and essential systems — not exterior property like pools, patios, or landscaping.
What you may be on the hook for:
- Pool repair or full replacement
- Neighbor’s landscaping or fence
- Any injuries or secondary damage caused by the pool displacement
How to prepare:
Consider draining your pool partially, not fully, before a storm — or installing a hydrostatic relief valve to reduce pressure. And if you live in a high-risk flood zone, look into private flood insurance policies, which sometimes offer add-ons for outdoor features.
2️⃣ My Basement Freezer Floated… and Ruined Everything
The situation:
A sudden flash flood fills your basement with two feet of water. Your big chest freezer — the one you filled with a season’s worth of meat and frozen pizzas — floats, tips, and bursts open. The contents spoil, scatter, and basically marinate your entire basement in mystery meat water.
The weird part:
It’s not just structural damage. It’s appliance loss, food spoilage, and secondary contamination. You file a claim. But the adjuster says… “we need to talk.”
Is it covered?
Partially. Under NFIP flood insurance:
- The freezer itself may be covered — appliances like refrigerators and freezers in basements are listed as eligible.
- The food inside? Not covered. NFIP does not reimburse for spoiled food, even if the loss is caused by a flood.
- Any damage the freezer caused (like gashes in walls or floors)? May be covered if it’s considered part of the flood event.
Gray area:
If mold sets in from the food or you need professional biohazard cleanup, that often falls outside coverage limits unless you have enhanced private flood insurance.
How to prepare:
- Keep freezers secured or elevated in flood-prone basements.
- Document the contents and store expensive or bulk food higher off the ground if possible.
- If the storm is forecasted, move perishables upstairs ahead of time.
3️⃣ My Neighbor’s Car Floated Into My Living Room
The situation:
A flash flood sweeps through the street. Your neighbor’s SUV, parked on a slight incline, turns into a 4,000-pound raft. It drifts across the yard, crashes through your bay window, and ends up halfway in your living room surrounded by water, drywall, and disbelief.
The weird part:
It’s not your car. It’s not your fault. But it sure is your house that’s destroyed.
Is it covered?
Yes — but only partially, and only by your own policy.
- Your flood insurance (NFIP or private) may cover the structural damage to your home, since it was caused by floodwaters.
- Your neighbor’s auto insurance likely won’t cover the damage to your house, because the vehicle wasn’t being operated — it floated passively, and that doesn’t trigger auto liability.
- You can’t sue your neighbor for flood-based movement unless gross negligence was involved (e.g., parking the car on blocks with no brake). Courts consider floodwater movement “an act of God.”
Important caveat:
NFIP does not cover replacement of windows, finishes, or flooring above the basement level unless directly tied to structural damage. Even then, the payout could be capped.
How to prepare:
- Document your exterior before flood season — this helps show before/after evidence for claims.
- Consider supplemental flood coverage from private insurers, which may allow higher damage caps and more flexible language around secondary impacts.
4️⃣ I Had Cash in a Drawer… Now It’s Pulp
The situation:
You kept a stash of emergency cash tucked away in your bedroom dresser or desk drawer. Maybe it was $300 for hurricane supplies, or maybe $5,000 from a recent sale you hadn’t deposited yet. Then the flood hits. Water seeps in, ruins everything — and when you open the drawer, all you’ve got is soggy, shredded bills.
The weird part:
It’s not furniture. It’s not electronics. It’s money — and it’s gone.
Is it covered?
No. Neither NFIP flood insurance nor standard homeowners insurance covers lost or destroyed cash, no matter the amount.
Why? Because cash is considered “uninsurable personal property” — it’s too easy to falsify, too hard to verify, and too risky for insurers to underwrite. Even if the cash loss was legitimate, it’s unrecoverable under any standard policy.
What you can do:
- If the cash is only water-damaged but intact, the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing may let you submit it for possible redemption — but that only works for partially legible bills.
- You can mail mutilated currency to them (yes, seriously) and potentially receive reimbursement if 50% or more of the note is identifiable.
How to prepare:
- Keep emergency cash in waterproof, sealed bags or a small flood-rated safe elevated above floor level.
- If the amount is significant, deposit it and use a separate digital account or reloadable prepaid debit card for storm prep funds.
- For truly important documents or valuables, look into UL-rated waterproof/fireproof home safes.
5️⃣ My Own Boat Smashed Into My House
The situation:
You did everything right — tied your small fishing boat or personal watercraft to a dock or trailer. But the flood surge was stronger than the tie-downs. Your boat broke free, floated across the yard, and slammed straight into your back porch, punching a hole through the siding and ripping off the deck railing.
The weird part:
It was your property… that damaged your property. So whose insurance handles it?
Is it covered?
Mostly no — and it’s complicated.
- NFIP flood insurance typically covers damage to the home caused by floodwater or debris moved by water. However, it does not cover damage caused by detached personal property — even if the object was moved by floodwaters.
- Since your boat is considered personal property, and not part of the home’s structural elements, the damage it causes is often excluded from flood coverage.
- Boat insurance usually only covers the boat itself — not the damage it causes when unmoored and drifting.
- Homeowners insurance? Likely excludes any flood-related damage entirely — even if it’s caused by another part of your own property.
How to prepare:
- Always elevate, double-secure, or relocate boats if flooding is likely. Tie them to anchored objects, use wheel chocks on trailers, or move them to higher ground.
- If possible, store smaller boats in garages or secured buildings when major flooding is forecast.
Flood Insurance Doesn’t Always Make Sense — Until It’s Too Late
Floods are chaotic by nature — and so is the insurance that covers them. While policies are good at handling the basics (walls, floors, HVAC systems), they often fall apart in the strange, edge-case moments that real-life floods tend to create.
That’s why it pays to read the fine print, ask specific questions, and plan for the weird, not just the obvious. Because it’s not just “Is my home covered?” anymore — it’s “What if my freezer floats?” or “What happens if my boat takes out the deck?”
The water doesn’t care how strange it gets. But your insurance company definitely will.
