On September 22, 2026, the California Department of Insurance published a press release titled "Commissioner Lara urges Californians to review insurance coverage before ‘likely historic’ El Niño storms hit." This article quotes that release and the National Flood Insurance Program's current purchase guidance. It is a summary of what those two pages say on the date below. It does not predict weather, price a policy, or decide whether any particular loss is covered.
What the September 22 notice says
The Department's subheadline states that a "climate-intensified El Niño heightens flooding, mudslide, and debris-flow risks" and urges consumers "to consider flood insurance before 30-day waiting period since most homeowners and renter policies do not cover flooding." The release says the Commissioner is "urging Californians to review their insurance coverage now and take steps to protect their families, homes, and businesses from potential flooding, heavy rain, mudslides, and other severe weather," and it places the announcement alongside the Governor's declaration.
The release is explicit about what standard policies typically do: "Homeowners, renters, and commercial insurance policies typically exclude damage caused by flooding, mudslides, debris flows, and other similar disasters unless they are directly or indirectly caused by a recent wildfire or another covered peril. However, policies may provide coverage for certain water damage." The word doing the work there is typically — forms vary, and the release itself leaves room for water damage that is covered.
The notice also addresses burn-scar exposure. It says Californians near areas affected by recent wildfires "should also be prepared for flooding, mudslides, and debris flows from wildfire burn scars, which can be especially vulnerable to severe weather," and that the Commissioner previously wrote to insurance companies "reminding them of their legal duty to cover damage from any mudslide, debris flow, or similar disaster that is caused by statewide wildfires that may have weakened hillsides." That is a statement about the Department's position, not a determination about any individual claim.
The purchase timing, as the two sources state it
These are the two sources' own words, kept separate on purpose, because they do not describe the same exception list.
The Department's release says the NFIP "provides the majority of flood insurance coverage written in California, and private flood insurance is also available," that "Flood insurance generally takes effect 30 days" after purchase, "except in the case of a home purchase where flood insurance is required by the lender," and that "Consumers should plan rather than wait until a storm is approaching."
FloodSmart, the NFIP's consumer site, states it as a rule with four exceptions: "Your flood insurance coverage will go into effect 30 days after your date of purchase. There are four exceptions to this rule:"
- "There is no wait if you buy flood insurance while making, increasing, extending or renewing a mortgage."
- "There is no wait if you change your flood insurance coverage while renewing your policy."
- "There is a one-day wait if your property is in a newly-designated high-risk flood zone and you buy a policy within 12 months of the update."
- "There is a one-day waiting period if a flood is caused or worsened by a wildfire on federal land and you buy a policy within 60 days of the wildfire containment date."
Two cautions follow from reading them side by side. First, the release's exception is narrower than FloodSmart's first bullet, so the NFIP page is the one to check for the exact condition. Second, both statements are about the NFIP. Private flood insurance is a different product and its effective-date terms are set by its own policy — the release notes private flood is available in California but does not say it follows the same timing. Ask the carrier and read the form.
Where a storm question usually lands on a policy
This is a map of which product a question generally belongs to, not a coverage determination. Every entry depends on the policy form, endorsements, exclusions, and the facts of the loss.
| Situation | Where the question generally goes |
|---|---|
| Rising or surface water entering the building | Typically excluded by homeowners, renters and commercial property forms per the September 22 release; generally an NFIP or private flood question |
| Mudslide, debris flow or mudflow | Named in the release among the typically excluded perils "unless they are directly or indirectly caused by a recent wildfire or another covered peril" |
| Water damage that is not flood | The release says policies "may provide coverage for certain water damage" — a form-by-form question |
| Sewer or drain backup | Cause-dependent on an NFIP flood policy. FloodSmart says "The cause of flooding matters when determining coverage," that "your policy would cover water damage to your home from a sewer that backed up during a heavy rainstorm," and that "It would not cover damage from a sewer backup caused by clogged pipes." Neither cited source addresses how a homeowners or commercial form treats backup, so read your own policy |
| Vehicle damaged by flooding or a fallen tree | The release says "Comprehensive auto insurance can provide coverage for vehicles damaged by flooding, fallen trees, and other storm-related events," and directs consumers to "Check your auto insurance declaration page to see if this optional coverage is included" |
| A business unable to operate after a covered loss | A business interruption question, which turns on the triggering peril and the policy's own conditions |
Our evergreen California flood and earthquake insurance guide explains how these products are structured in more depth. This article does not repeat it; it records what the September 22 notice adds.
What the release asks people to do
The release lists steps "before severe weather arrives." Paraphrased, with its own emphasis kept: photograph or record your home and belongings with a smartphone and keep copies of important insurance documents "in a safe, accessible location," because "A current inventory can make it easier to document belongings if you need to file a claim"; and "Follow local emergency alerts and evacuation instructions, secure loose outdoor items, clear gutters and drains, and have emergency supplies and important documents ready."
For a household, the documents worth having in one place are the declarations page for each policy, the effective dates, the deductibles and limits, the schedule of endorsements, any separate flood policy and its effective date, and a dated inventory. For a business, add continuity records, a current contact list, and whatever documentation supports how the operation normally runs — the material a business interruption conversation would need. None of that decides a claim; it makes the conversation possible.
The Department notes the warning arrives during National Preparedness Month and that its Consumer Hotline, 800-927-4357, is available "for information about flood insurance, wildfire-related coverage, and preparing for severe weather."
What this article cannot determine
Related Bollinsure coverage pages: home insurance, personal insurance for renters and tenants questions, landlord insurance, commercial property, and auto insurance for the comprehensive question above. If you would rather have someone read the declarations pages with you, a coverage review is the neutral starting point.
Primary Sources and Further Reading
- California Department of Insurance — "Commissioner Lara urges Californians to review insurance coverage before ‘likely historic’ El Niño storms hit" (For Release: September 22, 2026; accessed September 25, 2026)
- National Flood Insurance Program (FloodSmart) — Buy a Policy, including the 30-day rule and its four exceptions (accessed September 25, 2026)
- Bollinsure — California flood and earthquake insurance guide (evergreen explainer)