Flood insurance in San Diego

Why San Diego property floods

Several different flood exposures under one city name. The river valley takes winter runoff from inland and spreads it across flat, developed ground. The canyons that cut through the mesas move water fast between neighbourhoods. The coastal and bay-front edges deal with tide and surge.

Which one applies depends on the block, which is why the address matters more here than the city does.

• River valley, canyon and coast are three different exposures
• Neighbouring blocks can sit in different zones
• Start with the address rather than an assumption about the city

Your property policy excludes it

Homeowners, condo, renters, landlord, commercial property and most business owner’s policies all carve out water that rises from outside the building. That is true in San Diego the same as everywhere else, which is why flood is bought as its own policy. A waiting period normally applies, so buying once a storm is forecast is usually too late.

Nearby: Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach. Or see flood insurance generally.