Most flood coverage is provided by the Federal Government because private insurers find it largely unprofitable.

"You need flood coverage for that, which is only provided by the Federal Government."

Earthquake insurance, unlike flood coverage, is sold only through private insurers.

In December, Congress seemed to buttress that belief by voting to give some homeowners without flood coverage up to $150,000 to rebuild.

They insist that their home insurance policies, which account for about $17 billion in losses, rule out flood coverage.

After watching enough flood coverage on television to feel waterlogged himself, Dave Culver decided it was his turn to help.

Mr. Scruggs said he disagreed with the decision that exempted insurers from flood coverage in general.

He said the language in the insurance policies on flood coverage was ambiguous because it did not "clearly exclude man-made" flood disasters.

For those in unusually high-risk areas, a small group of private insurers offers supplemental flood coverage that will exceed the national flood insurance limits.

Residents had complained that their insurance companies would not pay for the damage because they lacked flood coverage.