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More than 300,000 homes in the greater Houston area are located in a floodplain and prone to flood damage.[1] If you live in Houston, flood insurance may be worthwhile, as most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flooding.
If you have a mortgage on your home in Houston, your lender might require you to carry flood insurance. Learn how flood insurance works, what it costs, and how to get it.
Quick Facts
Houston residents can buy flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer.
Flood insurance covers flood-related damage to your plumbing and electrical systems, appliances, personal belongings, and more.
A flood insurance policy won’t cover temporary living expenses, cars, or detached property like patios, decks, and pools.
Cost of flood insurance in Houston
The cost you pay for flood insurance in Houston will depend on a number of factors, such as your area’s flood risk, the age and design of your home, your insurance policy type, and deductible. In Houston, this means you may pay $769–$1,553 for a flood insurance policy from the NFIP.[2]
Below, you can see how location affects the annual flood insurance premiums for several counties in the Houston area.
County
▲▼
Annual Flood Insurance Cost
▲▼
Galveston
$1,553
Harris
$1,251
Liberty
$769
Montgomery
$1,040
Waller
$877
Do you need flood insurance in Houston?
Houston residents face significant flooding risk. In fact, 322,000 homes in the area are situated in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood zones.
If a flood damages your home but you don’t have flood insurance, you’ll have to pay for the repair and replacement costs out of pocket. Depending on your financial situation, you might take out loans or get into debt to cover flood losses. For this reason, flood insurance is likely a good idea. It may also be a requirement if you have a mortgage on your home.
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How to determine your flood risk
FEMA flood zone maps assess the dangers of flooding in different parts of the country. These maps are known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and show high-, moderate-, and low-risk flood zones throughout communities.
The high-risk flood areas are referred to as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), while the areas marked with a B, C, X, and D have a low to moderate risk of flooding.[3] Understanding Houston and Houston Chronicle’s Texas Flood Map & Tracker are two resources you can use to understand flood zone risk and insurance coverage in your area.
What flood insurance covers in Houston
Standard home insurance doesn’t usually include flood coverage. But if you invest in flood insurance, it may cover flood-related damages on the following:
Electrical and plumbing system
Foundation walls and staircases
Portable air conditioners
Permanent cabinets, bookshelves, and paneling
Carpeting
Curtains and blinds
Certain appliances, including refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, washers, and dryers
Fuel tanks
Personal belongings like clothing, electronics, furniture, and artwork
Valuables such as furs and original artwork
What flood insurance doesn’t cover
Flood insurance doesn’t cover all flood-related losses, including:
Temporary living expenses
Personal property outside of your home, such as fences, decks, patios, pools, hot tubs, and septic systems
Financial losses from business interruption for business owners
Property items kept in the basement
Cars and other self-propelled vehicles
How to buy flood insurance in Houston
You can buy a flood insurance policy through the NFIP. To do so, go to FEMA’s NFIP database to make sure your county participates. If it does, you can then look for a NFIP partner insurance provider and buy your NFIP policy. Another option is to buy flood insurance through a private insurance company with different coverage amounts.
Keep in mind that most flood policies have a 30-day waiting period, so your coverage won’t apply until the 30 days have passed.[4] You also won’t be able to buy flood insurance coverage right before or during a flood.
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Tips for filing a flood insurance claim in Houston
Here’s what you’ll need to do to file a flood insurance claim after a flood damages your Houston home.
Notify your insurance company
Once a flood hits your property, reach out to your insurer or insurance agent to initiate the claims process. Make sure you have your policy number handy.
Document the damage
Take photos of all your damaged property and personal belongings. It’s also a good idea to create a list of all the damaged or lost items and include when you bought them as well as their value.
Complete a proof of loss statement
An adjuster will help you fill out a proof of loss form. In most cases, you’ll need to file it with your insurance company within 60 days of the flooding.
Wait for a payout
Once you and your insurer agree on the damage amount, you’ll receive a payout. The process might take longer if a major flood occurs and many property owners are filing claims.
Houston flood insurance FAQs
If you’re shopping for a flood insurance policy, check out this additional information about flood insurance for homeowners in Houston.
What is the average cost of flood insurance in Houston?
You may pay anywhere from $769 to $1,553 for a flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in Houston. It’ll depend on your unique circumstances. Rates from private insurers generally fall within this range, though some could be higher.
Who provides flood insurance in Houston?
The NFIP underwrites flood insurance policies for people in Houston. You may also be able to secure flood coverage through a private insurance company.
Does Houston require flood insurance?
No. Flood insurance isn’t legally required in Houston. But if you have a mortgage on your home, your mortgage lender may require you to carry coverage.
If you live in an area deemed a high flood risk, purchasing flood insurance could also provide valuable protection in the event a flood does occur.
What is the most flood insurance you can get?
The NFIP imposes maximum limits for flood coverage. You can get up to $250,000 for the structure of your home and $100,000 for its contents. Private insurers may allow you to buy a Texas flood insurance policy with additional coverage.
Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen across the internet on many publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and the Balance. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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