Flood Insurance

Last updated: December 9, 2025 Recently updated

Flood Insurance Guide

Specialized coverage for flood damage not covered by standard policies

Not sure what coverage you need? Take our free 2-minute quiz to get personalized insurance recommendations.

What is Flood Insurance?

Flood Insurance provides essential protection for you and your family. Understanding how it works helps you make better coverage decisions.

Key Features

Coverage details and benefits
What’s typically included
Common exclusions to be aware of
Cost factors that affect premiums

Who Needs Flood Insurance?

Learn whether this type of coverage is right for your situation and how to determine the appropriate coverage amount.

How to Choose a Policy

Tips for comparing policies, understanding terms, and finding the best value for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about flood insurance answered.

Moving States Checklist - Flood zones when relocating

Homeowners Insurance - Standard coverage that excludes floods
Earthquake Insurance - Other gap coverage excluded from standard policies

Find Your State Guide - State-specific flood risk information

Official Resources

FEMA Flood Map Service Center (opens in new tab) - Check flood zones for any address
FloodSmart.gov (opens in new tab) - NFIP official consumer site for flood insurance
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (opens in new tab) - Program details and policy information
Find a Flood Insurance Agent (opens in new tab) - Licensed NFIP agents near you
Insurance Information Institute - Floods (opens in new tab) - Educational flood insurance content

Data Sources

Flood insurance data in this guide come from FEMA (opens in new tab) , NFIP (opens in new tab) , and NAIC (opens in new tab) . Learn more about our data collection methods on our Methodology page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need flood insurance?

If you live in a high-risk flood zone (Special Flood Hazard Area) and have a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance is required. Even outside high-risk zones, about 25% of flood claims come from moderate-to-low risk areas. If flooding would devastate you financially, coverage is worth considering.

How much does flood insurance cost?

NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) premiums depend on your flood zone, building type, coverage amount, and deductible. Average costs range from $700-$1,500 per year. Private flood insurance may offer better rates or higher coverage limits. Properties in high-risk zones pay significantly more.

What does flood insurance cover?

Flood insurance covers direct physical damage from flooding—rising water, storm surge, overflow, mudflow. Building coverage protects the structure; contents coverage protects belongings. There’s typically a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins, so don’t wait until a storm threatens.

Property-Casualty by State

Property-Casualty requirements and costs vary significantly by state. Select your state for specific regulations, average premiums, and local resources.