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USA FAQ

Have a question?

You can find the answers for the most common FloodFlash questions below. For anything not covered – email getaquote@floodflash.co

I have previously been refused flood insurance - can you still help me?
Yes we can. FloodFlash policies are available across the US. We provide quotes regardless of flood zone. On occasion the flood data means we may not quote but these cases are extremely rare. There are minimum premium requirements in certain states. The best thing to do is submit a quote and one of our team will be in touch.
We are currently only providing FloodFlash cover for properties located in the US and insureds domiciled in the US. Contact us for more information as we can support certain insureds outside the US.

FloodFlash US policies are now for both businesses and homeowners. In short, we can help any property type and have provided coverage for condos, manufacturing sites, sports grounds and much more. 

You can use FloodFlash on top of NFIP or other private flood coverage. You can use FloodFlash to cover a deductible, provide higher limits, or cover things that aren’t covered by NFIP or other insurers, such as pools, HVAC equipment, vehicles and personal property like jewellery or art. 

Yes.

Yes.

How do I purchase a FloodFlash policy?

FloodFlash policies are sold via insurance agents. Ask your agent about FloodFlash, visit our homepage, or get in touch with us and we can refer you to a FloodFlash supplier.

You should pick a payout amount that makes sense for your business or property. It can be useful to discuss this with an insurance agent or surveyor. Here are some things that you might consider:

  • the cost of any previous floods at the property
  • how much it might cost to make repairs to your property in the event of a flood.
  • the cost of replacing or repairing damaged inventory, machinery, contents, etc
  • the cost of business interruption in terms of lost revenue, wages, litigation or reputational damage
  • the value of any deductibles you may have on other policies – FloodFlash can fill the gap in coverage
  • the terms and limits of any existing flood insurance you might have – you may want to use FloodFlash to increase your limits
  • your budget – picking a lower payout value can make the policy more affordable


The payout from a FloodFlash policy can be spent on whatever you need, so make sure to consider any direct or indirect costs that may be specific to your business or property.

Like the payout amount, you should select a depth that makes sense for your business. You might want to consider the height of any damageable items, such as flooring, electrical sockets, machinery, vehicles and inventory. Also consider the level of any flood protection measures like barriers and gates.

We will always charge a lower premium for policies with a higher trigger depth, so it could pay to think about what level of water will start to cause damage and/or financial cost to your business and ways to become more resilient.

Remember that we measure flood depth from ground level outside your property.

The 14-day waiting period begins when you take out a new policy. During this time we are not liable to pay any claims that arise. This is to make sure policies cannot be taken out in reaction to significant flood warnings. We also use this period to install the sensor. The waiting period doesn’t apply for renewal policies.

FloodFlash covers all naturally occurring floods, including floods caused by heavy rainfall or melting snow, sewers bursting due to rainfall, rivers bursting their banks, groundwater and storm surge along coastlines. It also covers flooding caused by dams or canals overflowing or being breached.

FloodFlash doesn’t cover flooding due to burst pipes or similar sewerage issues. It is likely that this is covered under your existing insurance, though we recommend you check with your insurance provider.

In your quote document, you can compare premiums across different depths and payout amounts to find a level that suits your budget. You may want to consider reducing your payout or increasing your trigger depths – both of which will reduce your premium. Investing in measures to increase your flood resilience, such as a flood management plan or flood defences, can help efforts to raise the trigger level. Talk to your agent for more information.

There is also a 14-day waiting period at the beginning of your policy, during which you can decide not to go ahead with the cover. Otherwise, a FloodFlash policy can be cancelled any time – however you will only receive a pro-rated refund in certain circumstances, for example if you have changed address or no longer have an insurable interest in the cost of flooding. In all other circumstances the premium is non-refundable.

All FloodFlash policies are annual and need to be renewed each year to ensure continuous coverage. We make sure to provide appropriate reminders in the lead up to your renewal date, either directly or through your insurance agent.

We use state-of-the-art flood risk modelling, and high-resolution geospatial data to calculate the risk of flooding at your property. The risk calculation influences your premium, meaning that the cost of your FloodFlash policy will always reflect the likelihood of the property flooding.

If you would like additional cover, or another trigger depth, you can add another policy at your property. Otherwise you can update your depth/payout at renewal.
Your FloodFlash policy is complementary to any existing insurance and should have no impact on any policies you currently hold. We do recommend, however, that you check this with your agent or existing insurance provider before taking out a FloodFlash policy.
There are no upper limits to a FloodFlash policy. Clients with large or complex risks are recommended to contact FloodFlash via their agent for more information on how we can help businesses that require higher limits.
Unfortunately, moving to a new location would require you to buy a new FloodFlash policy. Each policy and its premium are tailored to your specific location, so are not transferable.
FloodFlash is a Lloyd’s coverholder, with underwriting capacity provided by Munich Re Syndicate 457 and Hiscox Syndicate 33. When a policy limit of greater than $10m is required, capacity may be sourced from a panel of non-Lloyd’s insurance carriers, all of whom are rated “A” (Excellent) or better by A.M. Best.

With expertise earned over centuries, Lloyd’s is the foundation of the insurance industry and the future of it. Led by expert underwriters and brokers who cover more than 200 territories, the Lloyd’s market develops the essential, complex and critical insurance needed to underwrite human progress.

Backed by diverse global capital and excellent financial ratings, Lloyd’s works with a global network to grow the insured world – building resilience for businesses and local communities and strengthening economic growth around the world.
Who installs the sensor?
Your FloodFlash sensor will be installed by one of our trained engineers. After you purchase a FloodFlash policy, we will immediately dispatch your FloodFlash sensor and schedule one of our engineers to come and install it on the date you have chosen.
If possible, someone from your company should be present when the engineer arrives, to direct them to where you would like it to be installed, and to sign-off that the engineer has left the site in a clean and tidy state. Otherwise, we accept written and picture instructions provided there are no access issues.
The sensor must be installed at a point that is:

(a) on an outside wall of the insured premises detailed in your policy schedule,
(b) not in a drain, stairwell or other depression that takes the sensor below ground elevation,
(c) not on a wall that touches or abuts water, and
(d) your choice. Our engineers cannot advise you where to place the sensor.
The FloodFlash sensor is battery powered and uses mobile communications to send any data. This ensures that a sensor will remain fully operational during a flood event, even if you lose power or internet at your property.
We constantly monitor our network to check that your sensor is working properly. If you think that your FloodFlash sensor has been damaged, please let us know immediately by emailing support@floodflash.co or calling us on +1 888 207 1026.
No. A FloodFlash policy is designed to cover external sources of flooding and our sensors are always installed on the outside wall of a building.
We rent your FloodFlash sensor to you at an annual fee of $200 + applicable tax. It covers data processing costs along with routine maintenance requirements. Initial installation is provided at no extra charge. If you choose to move the sensor after the initial installation (either at renewal or mid-term) you will incur an additional fee of $150 + applicable tax.
No. We need trained installation engineers to set your sensor up to make sure it reports data correctly for the right building. If you move the sensor without informing us, this could invalidate your coverage. Please email support@floodflash.co if you need further details or want to request a sensor move.
If you want to change the placement of your sensor mid-term, this will incur an additional fee of $150 + applicable tax. If you want to move your sensor to a different building, you may also require a new quote. For more information, email support@floodflash.co.
Your FloodFlash policy is measured based on water depth, measured from ground level. It does not include water flowing into subterranean spaces like basements and cellars if the sensor doesn’t register flooding at your selected depth. You should carefully consider the payout you would need to cover damages to the contents of your basement in the event of a flood when setting the depth and payout amount of your FloodFlash policy.
If I get flooded, what do I need to do?
If your FloodFlash sensor detects a flood at the trigger depth you have selected, we will notify you by email to confirm that you have been affected. We then process the data from your sensor to validate and pay your claim as soon as possible. There is no need for a visit from a loss adjuster or other damage calculation, allowing you to concentrate on managing your recovery.
If a flood event occurs that you think should have triggered the sensor but you have not heard from us, notify us within 28 days of the incident either by emailing support@floodflash.co or calling +1 888 207 1026.

We will issue payments to you if we are satisfied that a valid claim would have been payable under this policy after considering the available evidence. For more information visit section 5 of your policy document.
A FloodFlash policy is intended to let you recover from a flood as quickly as possibly, and there are no restrictions on how you spend the payment. It could be used to cover immediate costs such as cleaning bills and wages, and to reduce the impact of business interruption, or to cover the costs of damage to property, contents or stock.
In most cases, there should be no tax implications. The exact nature of any tax requirements will differ, in each case, however, and may depend on how you use the payout. If there is any uncertainty, FloodFlash strongly suggests you seek independent advice from an accounting professional.
You receive the payment for any lower trigger depths that were reached. The policy will still be in place for any higher trigger depths in your policy. If a flood were to occur at those heights later, we would make an additional payment.
How can I get in touch?
Get in touch via our contact page or via the following options. For sales or agent support call +1 888 207 1026 or email getaquote@floodflash.co. Existing and potential customers should call +1 888 305 4345 or email support@floodflash.co. For general enquiries call +1 888 207 1026 or email getaquote@floodflash.co

We make every effort to provide a high-quality service to all of our customers. If you would like to make a complaint, contact us by emailing complaints@floodflash.co, or writing to:
Complaints
FloodFlash Limited
18 East Tenter Street London
E1 8DN
United Kingdom

FloodFlash will refer your complaint to the underwriters of this policy, Munich Re Syndicate 457 at Lloyd’s.

You may also contact Munich Re Syndicate 457 directly by emailing MRSL- complaints@munichre.com, or writing to:
The MRSL Complaints Team
Munich Re Syndicate Limited
1 Fen Court London
EC3M 5BN 
United Kingdom

You can also refer the matter to the Complaints team at Lloyd’s. The address of the Complaints team at Lloyd’s is:
Complaints
Lloyd’s
One Lime Street
London
EC3M 7HA
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7327 5693
Fax: +44 (0)20 7327 5225
E-mail: complaints@lloyds.com Website: www.lloyds.com/complaints

Details of Lloyd’s complaints procedures for US policyholders are set out in ‘Making a complaint’, available on the Lloyd’s website and from the above address.