Does the National Flood Insurance Program offer any basement coverage?
A. Yes, it does. The program defines a basement as any area of a building with a floor that is below ground level on all sides. Flood insurance does not cover basement improvements, such as finished walls, floors or ceilings, or personal belongings such as furniture and other contents. It does cover structural elements, essential equipment and other basic items normally located in a basement, as well as cleanup costs. Many of these items are covered under building coverage, and some are covered under contents coverage.The following are covered under building coverage, as long as they are connected to a power source and installed in their functioning location: • Sump pumps; • Well water tanks and pumps, cisterns and the water in them; • Oil tanks and the oil in them, natural gas tanks and the gas in them; • Pumps and/or tanks used in conjunction with solar energy; • Furnaces, hot water heaters, air conditioners, and heat pumps; • Electrical junction and circuit breaker boxes and require
