Good question — a lot of homeowners wonder about this because standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Here’s how you can figure out if you may need flood insurance:
1. Check Your Flood Zone
- Go to FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) and type in your address.
- If you’re in a high-risk flood zone (Zones A or V), your mortgage lender is legally required to make you carry flood insurance.
- If you’re in a moderate- or low-risk zone (Zones B, C, or X), flood insurance is usually optional but still available — and often cheaper.
2. Look Beyond the Map
Flood maps don’t tell the whole story. Consider:
- Past flooding nearby – Has your street or neighborhood experienced flooding before?
- Local risks – Are you near rivers, lakes, or coastal areas? Even storm drains and poor infrastructure can create flooding.
- Climate/weather shifts – Heavy rains, hurricanes, or even rapid snowmelt can trigger unexpected flooding.
3. Review Mortgage or Community Rules
- If you have a federally backed mortgage in a high-risk flood area, flood insurance is required.
- Some homeowners associations or local governments may require it too.
4. Consider Your Financial Risk
- The average flood claim can be tens of thousands of dollars.
- Just 1 inch of water can cause more than $25,000 in damage.
- If repairing or replacing your home and belongings out of pocket would be a major burden, flood insurance can give peace of mind.
5. Ask Your Insurance Agent
Your agent can:
- Pull up your property’s flood risk.
- Quote coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers.
- Help you compare costs for different levels of protection.
👉 A good rule of thumb: even if you’re not in a high-risk zone, if your home is anywhere water could realistically reach, flood insurance is worth considering — especially since about 25% of flood claims come from low- to moderate-risk areas.