Does Olive Cover offer NFIP flood insurance?

All FAQs

Quick answer: Yes, Olive Cover places NFIP flood coverage for Georgia homes and businesses (through Selective as a Write-Your-Own carrier).

Yes, NFIP flood insurance is available through Olive Cover for Georgia homeowners and renters. Standard homeowners and renters policies do not cover flood damage. That exclusion applies regardless of severity or cause. A separate flood policy is the only way to close that gap.

What does NFIP flood insurance cover?

NFIP stands for the National Flood Insurance Program, a federal program administered by FEMA. Participating agencies sell the coverage, and the federal government backs it. NFIP policies generally cover direct physical loss from flooding, rising surface water from overflowing rivers and creeks, heavy rainfall that overwhelms storm drains, and storm surge from hurricanes. Water damage from a broken pipe or a failed appliance is a different claim type handled by homeowners or renters insurance, not a flood policy.

How widespread is Georgia’s flood risk?

Georgia’s flood exposure is wider than many residents expect. Property well inland can flood from stalled storm systems, tropical remnants, and overflowing creek networks, not just coastal storm surge. Hurricane Helene generated more than 57,400 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling more than $4.5 billion across the Southeast, including Georgia, as of February 6, 2025 (FEMA). FEMA data also shows that just one inch of floodwater can cause roughly $25,000 of damage to a home.

For example, a homeowner in Gwinnett County whose property sits several miles from the nearest river filed an NFIP claim after a slow-moving tropical system dropped 10 inches of rain over 24 hours. The property was outside a high-risk flood zone, yet the claim was valid and paid.

What are the key rules and limits of an NFIP policy?

  • High-risk zones and mortgage requirements. If your property sits in a Special Flood Hazard Area and your mortgage is federally backed, the lender is required to mandate flood insurance. FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov shows your zone designation.
  • Claims come from outside high-risk zones. Over the past ten years (2014-2024), nearly one-third of NFIP claims (29%) came from properties outside high-risk flood areas, according to FEMA. A lower-risk designation does not mean no flood risk.
  • Waiting period. Most NFIP policies carry a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. A policy purchased after a storm is forecast typically will not cover that event.
  • Coverage limits. NFIP residential policies cover up to $250,000 for building damage and up to $100,000 for contents. Losses above those amounts are not covered by the NFIP policy itself.
  • Exclusions. Sewer backup, additional living expenses, and vehicle damage are excluded from standard NFIP policies and require separate coverage.

Is private flood insurance an alternative to NFIP in Georgia?

Private flood insurance is also available in Georgia and may offer different limits, broader terms, or shorter waiting periods than the NFIP. Both admitted carriers and surplus lines insurers write private flood policies. Because Olive Cover is independent, the team can compare NFIP and private flood options side by side.

For example, a Johns Creek homeowner with a property valued at $600,000 needed flood coverage above the NFIP’s $250,000 building limit. A private flood policy from a surplus lines carrier covered the gap with higher limits that matched the actual replacement cost of the home.

How do I get flood coverage through Olive Cover?

A coverage review with a licensed advisor is the right way to match your flood zone, mortgage situation, and contents value to the right policy. Request a free coverage review to get started. You can also learn more at our flood insurance page.