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CostHelper > Personal Finance  > Insurance > Flood Insurance

Flood Insurance Cost

How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost?
 
low costLow: $100+/yearaverage costAverage: $400-$500/yearhigh costHigh: $2,000+/year
Typical costs:
  • Annual premiums for flood insurance on a single-family one-story home average about $400-$450 nationwide but can be as low as $112 in a low-risk area and more than $2,000 a year in flood-prone areas. FloodSmart.gov provides quick quote charts[1] for rough cost estimates and a location risk calculator[2] .
Related articles: Homeowner's Insurance, Earthquake Insurance, Water Damage Restoration, Flooded Basement

What should be included:
  • Standard homeowners policies do not cover environmental- or storm-related water damage. Flood insurance is sold and serviced by private insurance companies but the policies are issued through the federally funded National Flood Insurance Program. ConsumerReports.org outlines what's covered and why flood insurance is a good idea even in low- to moderate-risk areas.
  • FloodSmart.gov answers commonly asked questions.
Additional costs:
  • Residential flood insurance covers structural replacement costs up to $250,000; anything over that amount requires a separate policy from one of the few private companies issuing this type of coverage.
Shopping for flood insurance:
  • Ask your insurance agent about flood coverage or search for a local agent at FloodSmart.gov[3] .
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Over Paying For Flood Insurance
Amount: $2,160.00 per year
Posted by: Sirwade in Albany, FL.Posted: September 25th, 2018 05:09AM
Risk Level: x
The house was gifted to from my Grandmother before she passed. 1000sqft built in 1972, The flood insurance was about $1100 per year. the house was appraised for under $35K in 2011. The valve in the area has not changed. I was trying to rent it out just to cover expense by since flood insurance increase over the years it costing me money to rent.
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Flood insurance costs may cancel our home purchase
Amount: $4,800.00 per year
Posted by: Rezone A Mystery in Stuart, FL.Posted: October 5th, 2017 05:10PM
Risk Level: AE
We asked the current owner what he was paying for flood and he said $1300. We budgeted over that, but based on what we are being quoted it is over 4x's more! We currently have bids out with seven different companies. Not looking good to buy a home. Infuriating. New map indicates parcel will move to X zone, but when? No one seems to know if and when the 2017 map will take effect.
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paying too much for Flood insurance
Amount: $3,000.00 per year
Posted by: Tia21 in Utica, MI.Posted: October 4th, 2017 10:10AM
Risk Level: Low
I live a half a mile from the river with a natural burm between me and it. I cant afford this and who's going to buy my house if they have to pay that too?
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Houston Flood
Amount: $450.00 per year
Posted by: Thankfully Dry in Katy, TX.Posted: August 30th, 2017 08:08PM
Risk Level: X
never flooded, not in flood plain but just had 34 inches of rain in 5 days, huge flood 5 minutes away, hoping costs don't increase and that new maps won't include us in flood plain
$250,000 building, $100,000 contents, $1250 deductible
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flood Insurance
Amount: $505.00 per year
Posted by: fearful senior in Fairfield, OH.Posted: June 21st, 2017 03:06PM
Risk Level: x
FEMA marketing has sent ltr indicating I will be paying more in the future for this insurance. I have absolutely no respect for this corrupt attempt to gouge people! This has nothing to do with protection, but everything to do with revenue"the GOD ALMIGHTY DOLLAR" I'm so upset with these people.
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Extremely High
Amount: $12,000.00 per year
Posted by: a user in Canby, OR.Posted: July 20th, 2016 10:07AM
Risk Level: High AE Zone
In the process of buying a home which has never flooded, but is considered to be in a high risk area. The lowest cost we have found for just home coverage is $8,000 per year, and as high as $12,000.
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We are all paying way too high!
Amount: $2,585.00 per year
Posted by: a user in Woodbury, CT.Posted: July 7th, 2016 01:07PM
Risk Level: A8
Are home has been here for 225 years and never in a flood.
not affordable!
You can try to change the zone but like government thing it take time and money.
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bad deal
Amount: $800.00 per year
Posted by: JOhnD in New Caney, TX.Posted: April 20th, 2016 12:04PM
Risk Level: low
My fatherinlaw worked reconstruction and I have lived through flooded properties (I own rent houses). Flood insurance is now a BAD DEAL. Just save the money in a jar and you will have plenty cash to dry out and redo the affected sheetrock.
Of course, as soon as Americans realize it is a bad horrible product (just like health insurance), the Govt will force you to buy it at gunpoint. Just like the communists did for the yugo. People won't buy it? Pass a law...
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Flood insurance almost as high as homeowners
Amount: $1,129.00 per year
Posted by: Rachael Lewis in Walker, LA.Posted: February 16th, 2016 01:02PM
Risk Level: Flood zone A
When we purchased the home 9 years ago, being in a high risk flood zone was no big deal because the premium was only about $500 per year. We have never had a flood claim but now for some reason that nobody can explain to us, we are paying over $1100 a year and climbing. This is ridiculous. I am in a flood zone A, but not near any water!! How is that possible?? My homeowners policy is $1500 per year so the flood insurance is nearly the same price, for less coverage!! Very hard to even find someone to give me a quote without a flood elevation certificate, which costs $500-$1,000 to have done!!
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Flood Insurance
Amount: $1,220.00 per year
Posted by: Ray of sunshine in Smithton, PA.Posted: October 10th, 2015 08:10AM
Risk Level: A
House over 100 years old has never flooded. FEMA changed flood area, now I'm in it. Insurance started 4yrs ago at 660 this year went up to 1220
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Flood Quote
Amount: $1,500.00 per year
Posted by: Aman Massaquoi in VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.Posted: September 26th, 2015 07:09PM
Risk Level: Middle
Trying to buy flood insurance
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Insanity
Amount: $2,800.00 per year
Posted by: a user in Bangor, PA.Posted: July 29th, 2015 11:07AM
Risk Level: High
used to pay $650 a year, now its $2800.00
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Flood insurance Liscense to STEAL
Amount: $450.00 per year
Posted by: FED UP WITH BIG GOVERMENT in Kingston, PA.Posted: June 16th, 2015 05:06PM
Risk Level: A
Get this, I have a small building that was magically moved into the flood zone by surveyors. Flood insurance necessary because I still have a mortgage. I needed $5000 coverage. Last year was $160. This year $440. That includes a $2000 deductible. So I'm really paying for $3000 worth of coverage. This is extortion!!! I think we went to war with England 250 years ago over stuff like this.
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Price of Flood Insurance(Wright Flood Insurance)
Amount: $630.00 per year
Posted by: Cardenas in Houston, TX.Posted: June 9th, 2015 07:06AM
I have never used my flood insurance. It went up from $300.00 to $650.00 this year also the deductible is $1,250.00 for $200.00 building coverage and $80,000.00 on contents. this is too much on a fixed income just trying to make ends meet.
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To expensive
Amount: $1,800.00 per year
Posted by: Jerald in Owens cross roads, AL.Posted: May 18th, 2015 05:05PM
Risk Level: Ao
Live outside Huntsville al. Went from 500 to 1800. Who on capital hill am I taking care of?
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FLOOD INSURANCE
Amount: $2,500.00 per year
Posted by: Maryann Occhicone in bronx, NY.Posted: March 9th, 2015 04:03PM
Risk Level: 0
help,Wright Natonal flood Ins Increased our
premium 200.00 last year and this year 300.00
to 2500.00. I have neighbors that are paying
2,000.00 a year. Why do they have different
prices??? Plus WE NEVER placed a claim!
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Doubled in 4 years
Amount: $1,900.00 per year
Posted by: a user in Pennsville, NJ.Posted: February 15th, 2015 02:02AM
Risk Level: AE
My flood insurance has doubled in 4 years and there has never ever been even a near flood at my house which has been here for 60 years. We are retiring soon but will have to move because we see the FEMA regulated and set prices can only rise. In fact there are 115 houses in my neighborhood empty because people can't afford the high taxes and flood insurance. It darted at less than 200 dollars when we moved here in 1995.
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flood insruance
Amount: $480.00 per year
Posted by: EVANS in HAYWARD, CA.Posted: December 3rd, 2014 10:12AM
Risk Level: ao
we just found out that our level risk has change to ao now they want to tell us they didn't charge us right. FAMER INSURANCE really that's not our fault, and why would the government MAKE US GET FLOOD INSURANCE I UNDERSTAND FIRE, BUT FLOOD, I TRULLY FEEL THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF US AND ITS NOT FAIR AFTER ALL WE HAVE TO PAY HIGHT PROPERTY TAXES EVERY YEAR AND NOW YOU WANT HOMEOWNERS TO PAY HIGH FLOOD INSURANCE TOO...ITS LIKE WE MIGHT HAVE TO SELL OUR HOME AND GO BACK TO RENTING BECAUSE WE TRULLY FEEL THAT WERE BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF, ESPECAILLY WHEN YOU HAVE CHILDREN AND TRYING TO KEEP A ROOF OVER THERE HEADS, BUT I GET IT ITS NOT ABOUT SURVING ITS ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT GETTING HIS MONEY AND FORGET ABOUT THE PEOPLE LET THEM LOSE THERE HOME. ITS NOT FAIR, I WAS TOLD BUY PROPERTY TRUST ME ITS BEST FOR YOU FOR YOUR TAXES, YOU REALLY DON'T GET NOTHING BACK ON TAXES AND THEN THEY WANT TO FORCE YOU TO GET FLOOD THEY. IT THEE OFOVEMNGINRILDANAEN AERE FELLSUE LIGFLG,. 10a
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flood insurance
Amount: $10,000.00 per year
Posted by: Rimma in staten island, NY.Posted: March 9th, 2014 06:03PM
Risk Level: a
after hurricane Sandy I decided to buy flood insurance , however the price is not affordable $10000
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HELP! I can't sell my house because of Congress price fixing.
Amount: $47,000.00 per year
Posted by: Jenae in Wareham, RI.Posted: March 5th, 2014 08:03AM
Risk Level: AE/ 1 Deck support VE
This is price fixing. No help, no information. No advising anywhere... help. There is no way to sell my house. Yes, my new elevation certificate that cost $800 says that a potential new buyer would have to pay $47,000 if I don't MOVE my deck supports.
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elevation certificate
Amount: $2,392.00 per year
Posted by: a user in islandpark, NY.Posted: December 8th, 2013 08:12AM
Risk Level: a
hh

how can one determine what elevation equals what rate?
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Outrageous Premiums
Amount: $5,400.00 per year
Posted by: a user in Brunswick, GA.Posted: October 18th, 2013 12:10PM
Risk Level: V
This is a Government scam and drives down the value of a home. There needs to be reasonable caps on premiums. Premiums also go up 12-15% each year and the maximum coverage is capped only $250,000 and never goes up with the increased premiums. 12 years ago I had the same coverage and was paying about $2,300.00 per year.
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Flood ins
Amount: $562.00 per year
Posted by: Mike O in Toms River, NJ.Posted: June 20th, 2013 08:06AM
Risk Level: ao
I was paying $562 per year for the last 20 years, now after hurricane Sandy they upped my ins. to over $5ooo.oo per year,thats after I paid my preminum in advance for the whole year, now they give me 30 days topay the difference.
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The insurance company made a mistake at closing.
Amount: $2,200.00 per year
Posted by: AFTA in Tamworth, NH.Posted: April 13th, 2013 09:04PM
At closing our insurance was 375.oo or so. We found out a month later it was really 1400. Then the rates climbed up and up after hurricane katrina. Were now facing 2200 and our property hasn't been at risk for over 150 years. I don't mind paying but this is just not affordable!
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Government Scam
Amount: $1,300.00 per year
Posted by: a user in Huntington Beach, CA.Posted: May 15th, 2012 07:05PM
Risk Level: extremely low
Every year policy premiums go up. We've never in a 100 years had a case of a flood. My home insurance premiums are only $700, Why flood insurance cost a double for the same amount of coverage and non existing chance of a flood. Why government making it an obligation to get this stupid coverage? We have a greater chance of an earthquake than a flood happening in California. It's just another way to control us and scam us out of the money.
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Nothing but a scam
Amount: $1,300.00 per year
Posted by: a user in Willcox, AZ.Posted: July 9th, 2011 12:07AM
Risk Level: low
My home was magically transported into a flood zone while I slept. From all indications it is still in the desert but FEMA has determined it is flood risk. Perhaps they are anticipating the melt after the next ice age? There has never been a flood and my home has a better chance of being struck by a meteor (perhaps that insurance will be the next new scam) but $1300 is the cost to cover for this less than probably one type of event. I pay $750 for all other events -- meteor included. So, suggesting that everyone should jump on board and buy flood insurance is not something I would recommend. FEMA will be coming to a community near you soon enough. If you currently have a Federal backed loan - refinance and you will not be impacted by these arbitrary decisions.
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how can i lower?
Amount: $1,459.00 per year
Posted by: a user in san jose, CA.Posted: July 15th, 2010 01:07PM
Risk Level: high
everything we purchase seems to double its price due to taxes and insurances.
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paying too much for Flood insurance
Amount: $1,555.00 per year
Posted by: marisol forbes in Ridgefield, NJ.Posted: June 18th, 2010 12:06PM
Risk Level: low
I feel i am paying too much for flood insurance. How can i lower my policy
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External Resources:
  1.  www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/?cid=premiumest
  2.  www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/?cid=findpropertyform
  3.  www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/choose_your_policy/agent_locator.jsp?cid=searc...
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