Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States. It's also the most expensive, costing homeowners, insurers and the government billions each year. If most of your wealth is tied up in your house, you may be risking financial ruin without adequate flood insurance coverage. Read more...

Homeowners insurance typically covers water damage from bursting pipes and overflowing toilets, sinks and tubs. It usually covers the costs if your dishwasher or water heater explodes. If you buy a special endorsement, your homeowners policy also reimburses expenses incurred from sewer or water line backups. Read more...

However, your homeowners insurance typically doesn't cover damage caused by water that has come in contact with the ground outside. Read more...

Winter storms are the third most costly natural disaster in the U.S., behind hurricanes and tornadoes that cause flooding. In the last 20 years, wintry weather has caused more than $1 billion a year on average in insured losses, according to Verisk Analytics. ISO, a Verisk Analytics company, says 22 percent of all claims on homeowners policies -- 1 in 5 -- are for cold weather damage. Read more...

From burst pipes to collapsed roofs to car wrecks on slippery roads, winter packs a powerful punch. Ice, snow and water from flooding can also be destructive in ways we don't expect. Read more...

Before a deep freeze, be prepared for winter-related damage that could lead to a homeowners insurance claim. Read more...

Flooding can cause severe damage to your home and possessions. If you're not carrying flood insurance, the cost to repair or rebuild your home and replace all of your possessions will fall to you. Read more...

A standard homeowners insurance policy excludes flood damage, making flood insurance a must-have coverage to fully protect your home. In most cases, your mortgage lender will require that you carry flood insurance if your home is located in a high-risk (or even medium-risk) area. Read more...

Flood insurance can be complicated and comes with a variety of exclusions. Flood insurance is written with the backing of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), but coverage is also available through private insurers. Read more...