Not long ago, floods that led to severe property damage were largely associated with hurricane-related storm surge or close proximity to bodies of water. That is no longer the case: Today, anyone who lives or works in places where rainfall occurs can experience a major flooding event.
This fact may not be registering for large segments of the population, however. Chubb’s 2026 survey draws upon results from more than 1,500 high-net-worth homeowners, commercial businesses, agents and brokers and identifies significant gaps in perceptions of flood risk and mitigation measures. It challenges assumptions and suggests how these gaps can be bridged, providing a path forward for comprehensive flood protection and resilience.
Homeowners and commercial businesses alike understand that flood risk is growing; nevertheless, many of them don’t see themselves at heightened risk.
Misconceptions about insurance abound – including the misconception that natural-disaster-related flood damage is covered by standard homeowners or business insurance policies.
Even as new tools and techniques for mitigating flood risk become widespread, too many homeowners and business owners still aren’t taking the necessary steps.
We introduce three representative individuals in our report who reflect the concerns and challenges of homeowners, business leaders and insurance professionals in this new era of heightened flood risk.
Maria Flores - An independent residential insurance agent whose high-net-worth clients, many of whom have second homes, may not fully appreciate the degree of risk that they face
James Harrison - A Florida homeowner whose beachfront property is highly vulnerable to flooding – and who understands the vital roles that flood insurance and specialized risk engineering play in protection
David Chen - A risk manager for a large data center who worries that extreme weather – especially intense rainfall events – could result in serious damage to his facility and lead to business interruption for his clients
Floods are increasing in both frequency and severity, due largely to the rise in intense rainfall events – yet too many homeowners and commercial businesses continue, mistakenly, to place themselves outside the sphere of risk.
Flood insurance – which must almost always be purchased separately from standard homeowners or business insurance – is the best way to protect property owners from flood-related losses. Clear communication about its value and effectiveness is essential.
No strategy for mitigating flood risk can be considered comprehensive without the implementation of resilience measures, from physical water barriers to high-tech models and sensors to tailored risk consulting services provided by experts.