120+ more)
)
10+ years writing on personal finance topics
Host of the Mental Health and Wealth podcast
Melanie is a blogger, author, and speaker specializing in personal finance and debt management. She’s also the author of the blog and book “Dear Debt.”
Featured in
){kind=logo}
){kind=small}
){kind=logo}
){kind=small}
)
)
Lequita Westbrooks is a Senior Editor at Insurify. With extensive experience in writing and editing across industries like insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more, she’s passionate about helping readers understand complex topics so they can make informed financial decisions and save money.
Outside of work, Lequita enjoys reading and spending time with her family (and two pups: Bella and Simba).
She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of South Florida.
)
)
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
Featured in
){kind=small}
Updated
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
California has a history of severe flooding going back to at least 1861.[1] More than 7 million Californians live in areas at risk for flooding, yet only about 7% of those households have flood insurance.[2]
The average cost of flood insurance in California is $779 per year, according to data from FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flooding can happen anywhere — inside and outside of high-risk flood zones.
Standard homeowners insurance typically doesn’t cover flood damage.[3] Here’s what you should know about California flood risks, insurance requirements, and how to buy a policy.
California homeowners can check their flood risk by entering their address into FEMA flood maps.
Flood insurance has building and contents coverage to protect your home and belongings.
California flood insurance policies can vary in cost depending on your county’s specific risk factors.
You may need flood insurance in California if you have a government-backed mortgage and live in a designated Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Even if you don’t live in a high-risk flood area, your mortgage lender may require flood insurance.
As many as 9 in 10 disasters in California involve flooding, so getting flood insurance can be a smart move.[4] Homeowners insurance generally excludes flood damage, so you would have to pay repair costs out of pocket. A single inch of water could set you back $25,000, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).[5]
FEMA provides Flood Insurance Rate Maps that designate areas as low-risk, moderate-risk, or high-risk. You can check your flood risk by entering your address in FEMA flood maps. High-risk areas appear on the maps with letters that start with A or V. Moderate- and low-risk areas appear with letters that start with B, C, or X.
High-risk areas have a 1-in-4 chance of flooding within a 30-year mortgage period. Still, moderate- and low-risk areas account for more than 20% of NFIP flood insurance claims.
You can use the MyHazards tool to assess potential risks in your area, including floods, and access additional resources through the California Department of Water Resources.[6]
Check quotes from 120+ top insurance companies
A standard homeowners policy generally doesn’t cover flooding. It’s one of the major exclusions from home insurance coverage, alongside earthquakes and wear and tear. So if you want to be fully protected, it can be a good idea to get flood insurance and earthquake insurance for peace of mind.
The NFIP defines flooding as “a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or of two or more properties.”
A flood insurance policy covers only flooding. That means the water comes from the ground, typically due to heavy rain, storm surge, or overflowing bodies of water. Wind-driven rain isn’t considered flooding under NFIP policies, but homeowners insurance may cover the damage if wind damages the home first.
Water damage caused accidentally, such as a burst pipe or leaking appliance, generally falls under homeowners insurance. It’s essential to review your home insurance policy to know what it covers and what it doesn’t.
Various factors affect the cost of flood insurance in California. These include your location, whether you live in a flood zone, your home’s building materials, and the replacement cost.
The average cost of flood insurance in California is $779 per year, which is close to the national average NFIP flood insurance cost of $786 per year. Without the NFIP, California flood insurance costs could rise even higher.
Below are sample costs based on FEMA’s “Cost of Flood Insurance for Single-Family Homes” data from the NFIP pricing approach. Merced County has the lowest average flood insurance cost, at $650 per year, while Sierra County has the highest, at $1,987 per year.
County  | Annual Flood Insurance Cost |
|---|---|
| Alameda County | $825 |
| Amador County | $887 |
| Butte County | $755 |
| Calaveras County | $913 |
| Colusa County | $771 |
| Contra Costa County | $1,064 |
| Del Norte County | $873 |
| El Dorado County | $955 |
| Fresno County | $798 |
| Glenn County | $688 |
| Humboldt County | $914 |
| Imperial County | $1,017 |
| Inyo County | $879 |
| Kern County | $766 |
| Kings County | $824 |
| Lake County | $1,146 |
| Lassen County | $1,508 |
| Los Angeles County | $795 |
| Madera County | $870 |
| Marin County | $1,132 |
| Mendocino County | $1,025 |
| Merced County | $650 |
| Modoc County | $978 |
| Mono County | $1,093 |
| Monterey County | $914 |
| Napa County | $1,197 |
| Nevada County | $995 |
| Orange County | $795 |
| Placer County | $756 |
| Plumas County | $1,964 |
| Riverside County | $786 |
| Sacramento County | $689 |
| San Benito County | $1,151 |
| San Bernardino County | $914 |
| San Diego County | $798 |
| San Francisco County | $771 |
| San Joaquin County | $857 |
| San Luis Obispo County | $819 |
| San Mateo County | $897 |
| Santa Barbara County | $913 |
| Santa Clara County | $1,087 |
| Santa Cruz County | $1,020 |
| Shasta County | $952 |
| Sierra County | $1,987 |
| Siskiyou County | $1,034 |
| Solano County | $1,021 |
| Sonoma County | $913 |
| Stanislaus County | $756 |
| Sutter County | $657 |
| Tehama County | $1,004 |
| Trinity County | $900 |
| Tulare County | $894 |
| Tuolumne County | $775 |
| Ventura County | $844 |
| Yolo County | $779 |
| Yuba County | $798 |
Living in a flood zone may increase your home insurance rates because insurers view these areas as higher-risk. Since homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, you may need to purchase flood insurance as a separate policy, increasing your total insurance costs.
Flood risk is widespread: 99% of U.S. counties have experienced a flood event within the past 20 years, according to FloodSmart.gov. Average NFIP flood insurance claim payments were $82,614 from 2020 to 2024.
In the table below, you can see how annual home insurance premiums vary based on whether you live in a flood zone.
Flood Zone | Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Not in flood zone | $195 |
| In flood zone | $158 |
A standard homeowners policy protects you in many situations, but it excludes flood damage. Without a flood insurance policy, you could be vulnerable the next time a natural disaster hits. It’s important to note that 90% of natural disasters in the U.S. include flooding.[7]
Here’s what flood insurance covers:
Electrical systems
Built-in appliances
Windows
Furnaces
Water heaters
Floors
Drywall
Building foundation
Cabinets
Debris removal
Permanently installed carpet
Permanently installed bookcases
Plumbing systems
Fuel tanks
Detached garages
Solar energy equipment
Central A/C equipment
Those items fall under building coverage. You can also purchase contents coverage separately, which may cover flood losses like:
Furniture
Clothing
Electronic equipment
Washer
Dryer
Curtains
Microwave
Portable or window air conditioners
Carpet installed over wood flooring
Certain valuable items, such as fur or artwork (up to $2,500)
Merchandise or materials used for certain business purposes
Flood insurance may cover damage to your building and belongings if you have both building coverage and contents coverage. Coverage applies only if the damage is a direct result of flooding, but it’s crucial to understand potential exclusions. Flood insurance typically doesn’t cover the following:
Additional living expenses
Hot tubs
Swimming pools
Currency
Precious metals
Stock certificates
Decks
Patios
Fences
Preventable moisture or mildew damage
Vehicles
If you’re looking for flood insurance in California, you have two options: the National Flood Insurance Program and private insurers. NFIP flood policies tend to have lower coverage limits and less flexibility. For example, an NFIP policy has a maximum coverage limit of $250,000 for building coverage and $100,000 for contents coverage.
A private flood insurance policy may offer much higher coverage limits and could include loss of use coverage, depending on the insurance company. Notably, NFIP policies don’t provide loss of use coverage, which helps pay for additional living expenses so you have a place to stay while your home is under repair.
NFIP policies typically have a 30-day waiting period, whereas private flood insurance policies may not.
You can find which insurance companies provide flood insurance in California through the Floodsmart.gov “Find a Flood Insurance Provider” tool. You can buy flood insurance if you live in one of the 22,600 communities that participate in the NFIP and enforce floodplain management regulations.
You may also work with insurance agents to compare pricing and buy flood insurance in California. Comparing flood insurance quotes and coverage options can help you make an informed decision.
See personalized quotes from top home insurers in minutes
If a flood damages your home and you have flood insurance, here’s how to file a claim in California:
Whether you have flood insurance through the NFIP or a private company, contact the company immediately after the flood. You may be able to find its phone number online or through your policy paperwork. You must submit FEMA’s Proof of Loss form within 60 days.
A key part of filing a flood insurance claim is the evidence you provide. Take pictures or videos of the flood damage and create a list of affected items with info such as item type, model, and condition.
After you file a flood insurance claim, an adjuster will inspect your property and estimate the damage. If you have an NFIP policy, check the adjuster’s Flood Control Number card to confirm their credentials.
Once approved, you’ll receive a claim payout based on the estimated damage and the terms of your policy. NFIP policies may take four to eight weeks to pay out.
The average cost of home insurance in California is $194 per month for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage, according to Insurify data. Premiums vary based on factors like claims history, the age of the home, location, weather risks, and proximity to fire protection.[8]
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Farmers | $96 |
| Allstate | $111 |
| USAA | $129 |
| Travelers | $132 |
| Nationwide | $134 |
| Chubb | $168 |
| Encompass | $173 |
| State Farm | $177 |
| Foremost | $184 |
If you’re shopping for flood insurance in California, check out the additional information below as you research your coverage options.
The average cost of flood insurance in California is $779 per year, according to FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program. You can get flood insurance through the federal government or purchase a private flood insurance policy.
If you own a home in California, you may need to buy flood insurance if you live in a high-risk area and have a government-backed mortgage. Other mortgage lenders may also require flood insurance.
No. A standard homeowners policy in California typically won’t cover any flood damage. Homeowners, renters, and business owners can get separate flood coverage through the NFIP or a private insurance company.
You can check whether your property in California is in a flood zone using FEMA’s flood maps. If your property is in a zone that starts with the letter A or V, you live in a high-risk area. If the zone starts with the letter B, C, or X, you live in a moderate- or low-risk area.
The 80/20 rule in flood insurance refers to a co-insurance provision the NFIP uses. Policyholders must insure their building for at least 80% of its replacement cost value. Otherwise, the NFIP may reduce your claim payout due to a co-insurance penalty.
You can file a claim for flood damage in California with your flood insurance company, whether that’s the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurance company. Contact the company right away and document the damage to support your claim.
Insurify data scientists analyzed rates from more than 180 home insurance companies sourced directly from Insurify’s partner companies and Quadrant Information Services. Rates span all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and quote averages represent the mean price for a given coverage level and geographic area. To ensure data reliability, only insurers meeting minimum quote thresholds were included in the analysis.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for homeowners with no prior claims and good credit with a home construction year of 1980. The default coverage assumptions include:
Default Coverage Assumptions
Additional data points beyond these default values are sourced from Insurify’s proprietary database. Rates are updated monthly.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
10+ years writing on personal finance topics
Host of the Mental Health and Wealth podcast
Melanie is a blogger, author, and speaker specializing in personal finance and debt management. She’s also the author of the blog and book “Dear Debt.”
Featured in
Melanie is a blogger, author, and speaker specializing in personal finance and debt management. She’s also the author of the blog and book “Dear Debt.”
Lequita Westbrooks is a Senior Editor at Insurify. With extensive experience in writing and editing across industries like insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more, she’s passionate about helping readers understand complex topics so they can make informed financial decisions and save money.
Outside of work, Lequita enjoys reading and spending time with her family (and two pups: Bella and Simba).
She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of South Florida.
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
Featured in