Home Insurance Flood insurance: Determining the cost By Insure.com | Updated on June 25, 2019 Why you should trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing honest and reliable information so that you can make the best financial decisions for you and your family. All of our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. We maintain strict editorial independence from insurance companies to maintain editorial integrity, so our recommendations are unbiased and are based on a comprehensive list of criteria. Requesting flood insurance premium quotes from at least three companies is the best way to determine how much flood insurance will cost for your particular situation. If you receive multiple quotes for a certain price, you shouldn’t end up paying more than those quotes. It is possible that the cost of flood insurance could increase from the quoted price, but it shouldn’t be a significant increase. The overall, national average cost of flood insurance is $700, according to the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). However, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) estimates that premiums for a home in a low-risk flood zone range from $146 to $474. So, you might pay much less – or a lot more – depending on where you live. Coverage through the NFIP doesn’t differ by company. Instead, the NFIP price is standard regardless of how you get your flood insurance. That’s not the case if you’re buying a policy from a private company. In that case, you’ll likely see a wide range in flood insurance cost, depending on location, but also by company. Craig Poulton, CEO of Poulton Associates, which administers the Natural Catastrophe Insurance Program (NCIP), one of the country’s largest private flood insurance programs, offers this rudimentary estimate for private primary flood insurance policies that would serve in place of an NFIP policy. “The price range based on actual exposure to flooding in rough terms could be seen as being approximately $.05 per hundred dollars in value for risks that are located in extremely low hazard areas up to risks that would not be accepted at any price by a logical insurer, such as risks which are experiencing flooding virtually every year. Risks, which are located in more highly exposed areas, will usually see rates between $.30 per hundred and $.90 per hundred depending on how severe the exposure is,” says Poulton. Periodically, FEMA issues maps that reveal the risk of flooding in communities across the U.S. Areas that are at greatest risk are designated as Special Flood Hazard Areas. If your home is located in one of these areas, you’ll likely pay more for coverage. To look at the latest maps, check out the FEMA website. Several other factors can impact costs, including: The year your home was builtThe number of floors in the homeThe location of the contentsThe deductible amount and amount of coverage Buying flood insurance: Who sells it? The vast majority of flood insurance is sold through the National Flood Insurance Program. A few private insurers also sell this type of coverage. The III also has a list of private insurers who sell flood insurance you can review. The top 10 companies that sell the most flood insurance are as follows, according to the III: 1. FM Global 2. Assurant 3. Zurich Insurance Group 4. American International Group (AIG) 5. Swiss Re AG 6. Berkshire Hathaway 7. Liberty Mutual 8. Alleghany 9. MAPFRE 10. Allianz To purchase an NFIP policy, you will need to consult with an insurance agent. You cannot buy such policies directly through the government. If you need a referral to an agent, call NFIP at 888-379-9531. In case you missed it What is HO-6 insurance? Average home insurance cost in 2023 What is dwelling coverage and how much do you need? Personal liability insurance: What it is and why you need it Renters insurance quotes: Compare rates Hurricanes and home insurance: 14 key questions answered Replacement cost policies for your home: Getting what you pay for How much do claims increase home insurance rates? Mobile home insurance: What does it cover and how much does it cost? Homeowners insurance basics Home Insurance Advisor The Best Cheap Homeowners Insurance of 2021: Guide How much flood insurance do I need? How to bundle home and auto insurance policies to save money The largest home insurance companies by market share Home Insurance Discounts Guide to dog liability insurance: cost and coverage Do you have an emergency go-bag? 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