How Much Is Flood Insurance in Texas?

The average cost of flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in Texas is $672.00 per year. The actual cost will depend on how much coverage you purchase and whether your home is located in a low- or high-risk flood zone, among other factors. Texans who live outside a high-risk flood zone may even see annual premiums as low as $500. A private insurer may even beat that price.

Flood damage is not covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy. Flood coverage is available through a government policy with the NFIP or a private policy through a private insurer. Below, we explain the coverages, requirements and flood insurance costs.

How Much Is Flood Insurance in Texas?

Texans can expect to pay $672 per year, on average, for a flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program. Cheaper rates may be available from private insurance companies. Premiums can vary widely based on your flood zone and how much coverage you purchase.

Flood damage is not covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy.

Texans can purchase up to $250,000 in building coverage and $100,000 in personal property coverage. WIth a NFIP policy, you can purchase coverage for your building's structure and personal property (e.g., furniture, electronics) separately. This can be useful for renters who would only need to purchase personal contents coverage since they do not own the building where they reside.

Your area's designated flood zone can affect your flood insurance premium. Zones with a low to moderate risk of flooding tend to experience lower premiums than zones with a high risk of flooding. Below, we break down average annual costs by flood zone.

Flood zone	Avg. Annual Premium*	Avg. Monthly Premium
All A Zones	$1,115	$91.91
D Zone	$2,465.74	$205.48
All V Zones	$3,975.61	$331.30
X Zone	$515.98	$43

*NFIP policies that include building and personal property coverage
Source: National Flood Insurance Program

Buying flood insurance through private insurance companies

Annual premiums for private flood insurance policies can range from $400 to $3,000 depending on your property details. Generally, cheaper rates are available from private flood insurers over the NFIP. Although, one insurance company quoted $1,500 to $2,500, on average for a private flood insurance policy.

Factors that can affect your premium include:

• Flood zone
• Year your home was built
• Foundation type
• Square footage
• Coverage limits

Below, we show how your flood insurance quote can change based on your flood zone. The quotes are provided by The Flood Insurance Agency:

Flood Zone	Annual Premium Quote
Zone X	$669.42
Zone A	$729.23
Zone V	$2,025.05

Source: The Flood Insurance Agency (TFIA)

Property details:

• Description: Two-story single-family home
• City: Houston
• Foundation: Slab
• Year constructed: 2002
• Square footage: 2,069
• Building coverage: $250,000
• Contents coverage: $100,000

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Do You Need Flood Insurance in Texas?

You are required to purchase flood insurance if you meet the following criteria:

1. You live in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). These are zones that have a higher risk of experiencing a flood within a given year. These zones are typically labeled with the letters A and V.
2. You have a federally-backed mortgage loan. These are typically loans guaranteed by the federal government agencies, like the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Flood coverage is available through a government policy with the NFIP or a private policy through a private insurer.

Even without a federally-backed loan a mortgage lender and/or home insurer may require you to buy flood coverage if you live in a high-flood-risk zone. Residents who live in a moderate- or low-risk zone may still want to consider flood insurance. Non-Special Flood Hazard Areas still submit more than 20% of NFIP claims and receive 33% of federal disaster assistance for flooding.

The Flood Map Service Center (MSC) on the FEMA website has flood maps that can help confirm the flood zone designations in your area.

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SFHA flood zones in Texas

Flood insurance is required if you have a federally-backed mortgage and live in an SFHA. Below, we break down the differences between an SFHA and non-SFHA.

	Affected Zones	Flood Risk	Flood Insurance Required?
Special Flood Hazard Areas	Zones with letters A or V	High risk with a 1% or higher chance of being flooded in a given year.	Flood insurance is required with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders.
Non-Special Flood Hazard Areas	Zones with letters B, C or X	Moderate- to low-risk with a less than 1% chance of being flooded in a given year.	Flood insurance isn't federally required but still recommended.

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A mortgage lender and/or home insurer may require you to buy flood coverage if you live in a high-flood-risk zone.

Texas Flood Insurance Coverage

A NFIP flood policy offers up to $250,000 to your building structure and up to $100,000 for your personal property. Higher coverage limits may be available with policies purchased from a private insurance company. Below, we explore more in-depth what a NFIP flood policy can offer.

Building coverage from an NFIP or private flood policy protects your dwelling structure, foundation and the following:

• Detached garage
• Electrical and plumbing systems
• HVAC, furnaces and water heaters
• Built-in kitchen appliances
• Carpeting
• Paneling, wallboard, bookcases, cabinets
• Debris removal

Similar to a standard home insurance policy, flood insurance will protect several of your personal belongings, including:

• Electronics
• Furniture
• Some kitchen appliances (e.g., microwave ovens, portable dishwashers, freezers)
• Food inside your freezer
• Clothes
• Washers and dryers
• Some valuables (e.g., artwork)

Where To Buy Flood Insurance

Many homeowners purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. Private flood insurance policies may be cheaper and are available through private insurance companies. Private insurers may offer higher coverage limits than an NFIP flood insurance policy too. Speak with your current insurer to learn details about their flood insurance products, if any. Or get a new homeowners insurance quote and ask for flood insurance rates too.

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Historical Flood Damage in Texas

Floods may hit unexpectedly and cause significant losses. Below are some events in Texas that resulted in significant damages by floods:

• Hurricane Harvey (2017): Category four hurricane that resulted in 75,900 flood claims handled and $7.4 billion paid out in damages.
• South Central Texas Floods of 2002: Several counties across Hill Country and San Antonio experienced up to 35 inches of rain. Floodwaters affected 48,000 homes, resulting in damages estimated at around $1 billion.
• Tropical Storm Allison (2001): Rainfall heights reached 18 to 40 inches in 24 hours across southeast Texas. 70,000 residents were flooded resulting in $5.2 billion in damages.
• Texas Floods of 1998: Hurricane Madeline and Hurricane Lester hit several areas in central and south Texas, causing $750 million in property losses.

Private insurers may offer higher coverage limits than an NFIP flood insurance policy.

Flood Insurance FAQs

What is the average cost of flood insurance in Texas?

The average flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in Texas costs $672.00 per year. You may be able to find a Texas flood policy as low as $400 from a private insurer. The actual cost will depend on how much coverage you purchase and whether your home is located in a low- or high-risk flood zone, among other factors.

Is it worth getting flood insurance?

Flooding is a natural disaster that can occur anywhere across the United States but especially so in certain parts of Texas. Just one inch of water can cause $25,000 in damages to your property according to FEMA. Without flood insurance, you may be forced to cover these costs yourself.

Why is FEMA flood insurance so expensive?

Homeowners and renters in zones with a high risk of floods typically pay higher premiums to reflect their increased risk. Some residents in lower-risk zones may qualify for flood policies starting at $500 per year.

What is covered under a flood insurance policy?

With a flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program, you can buy insurance for building (home structure and foundation) and personal property (e.g., furniture, clothes, some appliances). Building coverage and personal property coverage are purchasable separately.

Protect Your Home From Floods and More

Flood insurance is only required in high-flood-risk zones. However, it is a good idea for homeowners in low-risk flood zones to buy coverage to protect their homes and personal belongings against floods too.

Compare homeowners insurance quotes and see what rates each carrier is offering for a private flood policy, which is usually cheaper than an NFIP plan. Enter your zip code and answer a few questions to receive free quotes.