Water can enter your home in ways other than actual flooding. The most common water-related loss occurs when water backs up through sewers, drains or sump pumps. The damage can be devestating, easily amounting to tens of thousands of dollars in damage. You can lessen your chance of flooding by not living near a body of water, and you can reduce your risk of basement water with proper drainage, including landscaping and gutters.
If your attempt to avoid or lessen the impact of water damage falls short of what you think is prudent, you can purchase flood insurance. The federal program provides insurance only for the peril of flooding. Your property policy does not provide this coverage. For damage caused by water which enters through a sump pump or drain, you can buy sewer and drain backup coverage by adding an endorsement to your homeowner policy. These endorsements do vary substantially from company to company, and are rarely automatic.
The sewer and drain backup coverage endorsement covers water damage and cleanup. The coverage is activated by water that backs up through your sump pump, or backup from a sewer.