Flood Insurance

Geo depth: Class A

Flood insurance covers damage from rising water, which is typically excluded from standard homeowners policies. Coverage is available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and a growing private flood insurance market, and pricing is influenced heavily by a property's FEMA-designated flood zone.

Compare Flood Insurance rates

A flooded riverside field and lake under a clear blue sky

What is flood insurance?

Two separate limits make up most flood coverage: building property (the structure and its systems) and personal property (contents) — available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as well as a growing number of private flood insurers.

NFIP policies typically carry a standard 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect, with exceptions — most notably, there's no wait if the flood policy is purchased in connection with making, increasing, extending, or renewing a mortgage — which is a key reason flood insurance is often purchased well ahead of a flood-risk season rather than right before one.

What affects your flood insurance cost

Typical costs vary significantly by state, provider, and personal factors — {{VERIFY: national average flood insurance premium not yet sourced}}. Rather than a single number, the factors below are what actually move your quote up or down.

FEMA-designated flood zone the property sits in
Elevation of the structure relative to base flood elevation
Building coverage and contents coverage limits selected
Construction type and number of floors
Whether the building has flood-resistant features (elevated utilities, flood vents)
Deductible amount selected

How to compare flood insurance providers

Price is only one part of the decision. Before choosing a provider, compare each of the following side by side:

Coverage limits, and exactly what's included or excluded
Deductible options and how a higher or lower deductible changes the premium
Financial strength ratings from an independent rating agency (e.g., AM Best, S&P, Moody's) — an indicator of an insurer's ability to pay future claims
Customer service and claims-handling reputation, including complaint-ratio data where a state Department of Insurance publishes it
Available discounts and bundling options
Confirmation that the carrier is licensed to write this coverage in your state

Related calculators

Flood Insurance Cost/Risk Calculator

Explore flood insurance by state

Coverage requirements and licensed carriers for flood insurance vary by state. Here are a few popular starting points, or browse the full state directory below.

Flood Insurance FAQ

Is flood insurance required?

It's often required by a federally regulated lender if your property is in a FEMA-designated high-risk flood zone (Special Flood Hazard Area) and you have a federally backed mortgage. It's optional but still available for lower-risk zones. {{VERIFY: whether your specific property/loan requires it}}.

Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?

Flood damage from rising water is excluded from virtually all standard homeowners policies, which is why a separate flood policy exists as its own product.

How long until a flood insurance policy takes effect?

NFIP policies have a standard 30-day waiting period before coverage begins. Exceptions include: no waiting period when flood insurance is purchased in connection with a mortgage closing; a shortened 1-day wait if purchased within 12 months of a FEMA flood-zone remapping; and a 1-day wait if purchased within 60 days of a qualifying wildfire on federal land. Private flood insurers may have different waiting periods — confirm with the specific carrier.

Ready to see flood insurance options?

Compare providers side by side using the factors above, then see options tailored to your state and situation.