Short answer: Illinois homeowners and renters policies generally exclude flood. Check FEMA maps and buy NFIP or private flood coverage. Illinois sellers must disclose flood-hazard insurance, known flooding or leakage, and known floodplain status on the Residential Real Property Disclosure Report. Illinois DNR's Office of Water Resources coordinates the NFIP for the state.
This guide is general information for Illinois property owners and renters about flood risk and the National Flood Insurance Program. It isn't a coverage determination. FEMA maps, your community's floodplain ordinance and your policy wording control.
Maps and NFIP
Look up the property in FEMA's Flood Map Service Center. Special Flood Hazard Areas usually require flood insurance for federally backed mortgages. Coverage is still useful outside those zones. Quote through FloodSmart. Most new NFIP policies have a 30-day waiting period.
Seller disclosures
Under the Illinois Residential Real Property Disclosure Act (765 ILCS 77/35), sellers must answer, based on actual knowledge, whether they have flood-hazard insurance, know of basement or crawl-space flooding or recurring leakage, or know the property is in a floodplain. Sellers don't have to investigate beyond their knowledge, but they must update the report before closing if new information arises. Buyers should still pull the FEMA map themselves.
State NFIP coordinator
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Water Resources coordinates the National Flood Insurance Program for Illinois, including floodplain regulations and map amendments. Contact OWR for community floodplain-ordinance questions; contact FloodSmart or your agent for policy quotes and claims.
Questions? Contact Alishahi Insurance or call (877) 711-4545. See insurance in Illinois.
Frequently asked questions
What flood questions must Illinois sellers answer?
Whether they have flood-hazard insurance, know of basement/crawl flooding or recurring leakage, or know the property is in a floodplain, under 765 ILCS 77/35.
Who is Illinois' NFIP coordinator?
Illinois DNR Office of Water Resources.
Do Illinois homeowners policies cover flood?
Generally no. Buy NFIP or private flood coverage separately.
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. This isn't legal, tax or financial advice or a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.