Flood Insurance · Modesto & Ceres, CA
Flood Insurance in Modesto & Ceres, CA
Your homeowners or renters policy doesn’t cover flood — and neither does the California FAIR Plan. We’ll find you a separate flood policy for your home, rental, mobile home, or belongings, and explain it in English or Spanish. Hablamos español.
Independent agency since 2010 · Homes, renters, mobile homes & rentals · Two offices on Crows Landing Rd
30 Days
Usual wait before an NFIP policy starts
29%
Of NFIP claims came from outside high-risk zones
$0
Flood coverage in a standard home policy
Español
Todo explicado en su idioma
The Gap Most People Miss
Your home policy doesn’t cover flood
Standard homeowners, renters, mobile home, and landlord policies exclude flood. So does the California FAIR Plan. Most people find that out after the water is already inside. Flood coverage is a separate policy — written through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer — and we can shop both for you.
💧 Water damage vs. flood — not the same thing
A pipe that bursts inside your house is usually covered by your homeowners policy. Water that comes in from outside — an overflowing river, heavy rain that pools and pours in under the doors, runoff from the street — is flood, and only a flood policy covers it.
Local Flood Risk
Does Modesto really flood?
It does. In 1997, when the Don Pedro Reservoir spillway was opened, the Tuolumne River flooded parts of Modesto. In 2017 the spillway opened again for the first time since then, and mobile home parks near the 9th Street Bridge took on water. In wet winters since, atmospheric-river storms have brought evacuation warnings to neighborhoods along the river. Dry Creek, irrigation canals, and low-lying streets add their own risk when heavy rain sits on the Valley.
And you don’t have to live on the riverbank to be hit. According to FEMA, nearly a third of National Flood Insurance Program claims from 2014 to 2024 came from properties outside high-risk flood zones. We can look up your home’s flood zone with you and talk through whether a policy makes sense — in Modesto, Ceres, or anywhere in Stanislaus County.
What It Covers
Two parts: the building and your belongings
🏠 Building coverage
The structure and its systems: foundation, walls, electrical and plumbing, furnace, water heater, built-in appliances, and permanently installed flooring and cabinets. Through the NFIP, homes can be covered up to $250,000; private flood policies may offer more.
🛋️ Contents coverage
Your belongings: furniture, clothing, electronics, and portable appliances like washers and dryers. It’s bought separately from building coverage — through the NFIP, up to $100,000 — and renters can buy contents coverage on its own.
Good to know: your car isn’t covered by flood insurance — flood damage to a vehicle falls under the comprehensive coverage on your auto policy. And NFIP policies generally don’t pay for a hotel while you’re out of your home; some private flood policies do.
Who Should Have It
Flood insurance makes the most sense if…
🌊 You live near water
Close to the Tuolumne River, Dry Creek, a canal, or on a street that ponds in heavy rain.
🏦 Your lender requires it
Homes in a high-risk flood zone with a federally backed mortgage must carry flood insurance.
🔥 You’re on the FAIR Plan
The FAIR Plan leaves out flood. A flood policy fills that gap alongside your FAIR Plan coverage.
🔑 You rent or own a mobile home
Renters can insure their belongings, and mobile and manufactured homes can be covered too — ask us about the requirements.
Don’t wait for the storm forecast
An NFIP flood policy usually doesn’t start until 30 days after you buy it — so buying when the river is already rising is too late. The exception is when flood insurance is required as part of buying or refinancing a home. The best time to get covered is before the winter storm season.
¿Necesita aseguranza contra inundaciones?
Su póliza de casa o de renta no cubre inundación. Le buscamos una póliza aparte y se la explicamos en español.
Common Questions
Flood insurance FAQs
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
No. Standard homeowners, renters, and mobile home policies exclude flood, and so does the California FAIR Plan. You need a separate flood policy.
How long until a flood policy starts?
An NFIP policy usually takes effect 30 days after purchase, unless it’s required as part of buying or refinancing a home. Some private flood policies have shorter waiting periods. Either way, buy before the storm season, not during it.
Do I need flood insurance if I’m not in a flood zone?
It isn’t required, but it’s worth considering. FEMA reports that nearly a third of NFIP claims from 2014 to 2024 came from outside high-risk flood zones, and policies for lower-risk homes often cost less than people expect.
Can renters get flood insurance?
Yes. Renters can buy contents-only flood coverage for their belongings. Your landlord’s policy covers the building, not your things.
How much does flood insurance cost in Modesto?
It depends on your home’s flood risk, elevation, construction, and how much coverage you choose. Homes outside high-risk zones usually pay less. Call us and we’ll quote it — it takes a few minutes with your address.
Does flood insurance cover my car?
No. Flood damage to a car is covered by the comprehensive coverage on your auto policy, if you carry it. Liability-only auto policies don’t cover it.
¿Me lo explican en español?
Sí, todo. Lea esta página en español o llámenos.
Visit Us
Two offices on Crows Landing Road
📍 Main Office
1404 Crows Landing Rd
Modesto, CA 95351
(209) 523-9100
Mon–Fri: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sun: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Get Directions →
📍 Second Office
1511 Crows Landing Rd
Modesto, CA 95358
(209) 523-9100
Mon–Fri: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Sat: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sun: Closed
Get Directions →
Get covered before the next storm
One call with your address is enough for a flood quote. We’ll add it to your home or renters coverage review while we’re at it.