Editor's note: This article first appeared at NerdWallet.com. 

If you buy a home in a flood-prone area, you probably need to find flood insurance.

Standard homeowners insurance covers damage from rain that hits a home before reaching the ground, such as if a tree limb falls on a roof, creating a hole, or if water enters through a blown-out window or door. Damage from flooding, which occurs when water rises up outside the home, will only be covered if you have flood insurance.

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