Texas Flood Insurance: Complete Guide for Homeowners in 2026
Most Texas homes are in flood zones, making it a smart idea to purchase flood insurance through the NFIP or a private insurer.
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Written byNick Dauk
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Nick DaukInsurance Writer
6+ years writing about insurance, travel, and personal finances
Contributor to brands like Credible
In addition to insurance, Nick specializes in writing about business, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and travel. He’s been featured in myriad web publications, including Fox Business.
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Edited byKatie Powers
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Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Reviewed byMacKenzie Korris
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MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
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Data reviewed byChase Gardner
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Chase GardnerData Insights Manager
Data expert on auto trends and driver behavior
University of Chicago graduate with statistics degree
Chase spearheads analytics for Insurify’s data insights team. With his deep expertise in insurance data, Chase is often interviewed on industry trends.
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Table of contents
With more than 20 million acres at risk, Texas has more flood-prone land than any other state, making flood insurance a good idea for many Texans.[1] The average annual cost of flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for a Texas home is $779.
Flooding can happen across all of the Lone Star State, even outside of high-risk flood zones, and a standard homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover flood damage.
Here’s what you should know about Texas flood insurance, including what it covers, average costs, how to purchase a policy, and the risks uninsured homeowners face.
Quick Facts
Texas Hill Country is North America’s most flash flood-prone area.
Most flood policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage activates.[2]
A standard flood insurance policy will cover up to $250,000 of your home’s structure, but you’ll need a separate flood policy to cover your personal belongings up to $100,000.
Do you need flood insurance in Texas?
No. Texas state law doesn’t legally require homeowners to purchase flood insurance. But most mortgage lenders will require flood insurance if your property’s in a Special Flood Hazard Area (Zones V, VE, A, or AE).[3] Since most major cities in Texas are in areas at high risk of flooding, it’s a smart idea to purchase flood insurance regardless of your mortgage status.
Even if you don’t live in central Texas’ Flash Flood Alley, flood insurance is beneficial because basic homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. If a flood damages your home, you ’ll have to pay for repairs and damages out of pocket unless the flood event qualifies for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).[4]
How to determine your flood risk
FEMA categorizes flood-prone areas according to the likelihood of a flood event in any given year:[5]
Minimal flood hazard: Zone C and Zone X (unshaded)
Moderate flood hazard: Zone B and Zone X (shaded)
Special Flood Hazard Areas: Zone A, Zone AO, Zone AH, Zones A1–A30, Zone AE, Zone A99, Zone AR, Zone AR/AE, Zone AR/AO, Zone AR/A1–A30, Zone AR/A, Zone V, Zone VE, and Zones V1–V30
One inch of water can cause over $25,000 in damage, and nearly one-quarter of all floods happen outside of high-risk flood areas, according to FEMA. This is why it’s a good idea for all homeowners, business owners, and renters to consider buying flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer.
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Am I in a Flood Zone?
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
No. Most home insurance policies don’t cover flooding. Many policies only cover sudden, accidental environmental water damage, such as wind-driven rain and ice dams on roofs. A standard home insurance policy won’t cover water damage from overflowing bodies of water or broken levees.
Insurers define a flood as an overflow of water on normally dry land caused by overflowing natural waters, quick surface runoff, and mudflows.[6] If a burst pipe floods your bathroom or basement, that’s a water damage claim for homeowners insurance. If a canal, lake, or river overflows into your home, that’s a flood loss claim for flood insurance.
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Cost of flood insurance in Texas
The average annual cost of NFIP flood insurance in Texas is $779, which is slightly lower than the national average of $786.[7] How much you’ll pay for flood insurance in Texas will depend on the county you live in.
Insurers will consider the county’s high-risk flood zones, frequency of flood events, and floodplain-management strategies. If you live in a higher-risk area, you’ll likely pay more for coverage. For example, homeowners in Wilbarger and Crosby counties pay much lower annual rates than people in Baylor and Martin counties.
Your flood insurance costs will also depend on some of your home’s characteristics, like its replacement cost, elevation, distance from flooding sources, and whether it has flood vents.
Below, you can compare average annual flood insurance costs by Texas county.
County  | Annual Flood Insurance Cost |
|---|---|
| Anderson County | $740 |
| Angelina County | $799 |
| Aransas County | $885 |
| Archer County | $749 |
| Atascosa County | $777 |
| Austin County | $774 |
| Bailey County | $764 |
| Bandera County | $800 |
| Bastrop County | $795 |
| Baylor County | $1,266 |
| Bee County | $779 |
| Bell County | $688 |
| Bexar County | $723 |
| Blanco County | $798 |
| Bosque County | $749 |
| Bowie County | $732 |
| Brazoria County | $779 |
| Brazos County | $682 |
| Brewster County | $808 |
| Brooks County | $858 |
| Brown County | $776 |
| Burleson County | $688 |
| Burnet County | $1,005 |
| Caldwell County | $780 |
| Calhoun County | $917 |
| Cameron County | $647 |
| Carson County | $413 |
| Cass County | $781 |
| Chambers County | $776 |
| Cherokee County | $905 |
| Clay County | $807 |
| Coleman County | $687 |
| Collin County | $689 |
| Collingsworth County | $479 |
| Colorado County | $790 |
| Comal County | $800 |
| Comanche County | $678 |
| Cooke County | $832 |
| Coryell County | $685 |
| Crockett County | $1,256 |
| Crosby County | $384 |
| Dallam County | $835 |
| Dallas County | $758 |
| Dawson County | $797 |
| Denton County | $689 |
| DeWitt County | $787 |
| Dimmit County | $621 |
| Duval County | $781 |
| Eastland County | $802 |
| Ector County | $680 |
| El Paso County | $628 |
| Ellis County | $777 |
| Erath County | $798 |
| Fannin County | $859 |
| Fayette County | $797 |
| Fort Bend County | $749 |
| Franklin County | $556 |
| Freestone County | $726 |
| Frio County | $587 |
| Galveston County | $798 |
| Gillespie County | $772 |
| Goliad County | $794 |
| Gonzales County | $914 |
| Grayson County | $784 |
| Gregg County | $806 |
| Grimes County | $689 |
| Guadalupe County | $1,005 |
| Hale County | $552 |
| Hardin County | $703 |
| Harris County | $781 |
| Harrison County | $765 |
| Haskell County | $686 |
| Hays County | $779 |
| Henderson County | $847 |
| Hidalgo County | $605 |
| Hill County | $779 |
| Hockley County | $611 |
| Hood County | $776 |
| Hopkins County | $817 |
| Houston County | $754 |
| Howard County | $559 |
| Hudspeth County | $814 |
| Hunt County | $800 |
| Hutchinson County | $778 |
| Jack County | $781 |
| Jackson County | $799 |
| Jasper County | $754 |
| Jeff Davis County | $780 |
| Jefferson County | $775 |
| Jim Hogg County | $813 |
| Jim Wells County | $629 |
| Johnson County | $779 |
| Jones County | $799 |
| Karnes County | $759 |
| Kaufman County | $752 |
| Kendall County | $799 |
| Kerr County | $858 |
| Kimble County | $859 |
| Kinney County | $915 |
| Kleberg County | $753 |
| La Salle County | $719 |
| Lamar County | $689 |
| Lamb County | $493 |
| Lampasas County | $774 |
| Lavaca County | $800 |
| Lee County | $678 |
| Leon County | $728 |
| Liberty County | $687 |
| Limestone County | $800 |
| Lipscomb County | $973 |
| Live Oak County | $972 |
| Llano County | $1,037 |
| Lubbock County | $769 |
| Madison County | $768 |
| Marion County | $799 |
| Martin County | $1,513 |
| Mason County | $952 |
| Matagorda County | $800 |
| Maverick County | $688 |
| McCulloch County | $893 |
| McLennan County | $703 |
| McMullen County | $1,025 |
| Medina County | $784 |
| Menard County | $804 |
| Midland County | $720 |
| Milam County | $690 |
| Montague County | $795 |
| Montgomery County | $759 |
| Moore County | $470 |
| Morris County | $748 |
| Nacogdoches County | $749 |
| Navarro County | $794 |
| Newton County | $689 |
| Nolan County | $794 |
| Nueces County | $799 |
| Orange County | $795 |
| Palo Pinto County | $849 |
| Panola County | $495 |
| Parker County | $794 |
| Pecos County | $974 |
| Polk County | $874 |
| Potter County | $524 |
| Presidio County | $592 |
| Rains County | $745 |
| Randall County | $647 |
| Real County | $901 |
| Reeves County | $801 |
| Refugio County | $725 |
| Robertson County | $778 |
| Rockwall County | $701 |
| Runnels County | $679 |
| Rusk County | $686 |
| San Augustine County | $753 |
| San Jacinto County | $846 |
| San Patricio County | $721 |
| San Saba County | $764 |
| Shackelford County | $665 |
| Shelby County | $751 |
| Smith County | $729 |
| Somervell County | $853 |
| Starr County | $748 |
| Stephens County | $664 |
| Sutton County | $875 |
| Swisher County | $513 |
| Tarrant County | $689 |
| Taylor County | $689 |
| Terry County | $479 |
| Titus County | $730 |
| Tom Green County | $689 |
| Travis County | $775 |
| Trinity County | $547 |
| Tyler County | $754 |
| Upshur County | $822 |
| Uvalde County | $843 |
| Val Verde County | $939 |
| Van Zandt County | $798 |
| Victoria County | $633 |
| Walker County | $798 |
| Waller County | $700 |
| Washington County | $690 |
| Webb County | $635 |
| Wharton County | $730 |
| Wheeler County | $460 |
| Wichita County | $730 |
| Wilbarger County | $437 |
| Willacy County | $701 |
| Williamson County | $688 |
| Wilson County | $783 |
| Wise County | $910 |
| Wood County | $775 |
| Yoakum County | $992 |
| Young County | $719 |
| Zapata County | $612 |
| Zavala County | $696 |
How flood zones affect home insurance rates
FEMA classifies flood zones based on an area’s susceptibility to significant annual flood events driven by heavy rain. Living in a flood zone — even one with a minimal or moderate risk — increases home insurance rates.
A Texas policyholder living in Flash Flood Alley, which has had more than 500 flash flood events between 2009 and 2019, will likely pay more than homeowners in the Texas Panhandle, which has a lower risk of flooding.
Compare home insurance rates for Texas homeowners in and out of flood zones below.
Flood Zone | Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Not in flood zone | $345 |
| In flood zone | $232 |
Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.
What flood insurance covers in Texas
Standard homeowners, renters, and condo insurance policies don’t cover damages from flooding. You’ll need a separate flood insurance policy to cover the structure of your home and an additional flood insurance policy to cover your possessions.
Here’s what flood insurance covers homes from in the event of flooding:
Building coverage
Structural flood insurance covers the building itself and equipment that supports the home, like heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, water heaters, fuel tanks, and circuit breakers.
Contents coverage
Contents flood insurance protects personal property within the home, such as furniture, washers and dryers, clothing, electronics, and other household items.
It’s important to review a flood insurance policy before purchase to fully understand its inclusions and exclusions.
What flood insurance doesn’t cover
Flood insurance excludes most forms of water damage. Here are common items and scenarios that flood insurance doesn’t cover:
Sump-pump overflow and sewer backup flooding
Burst fire sprinklers
Water intrusion from gutters and other “top-down” water damage
Vehicle damage
Damage to some items and aesthetic improvements in basements
How to buy flood insurance in Texas
Texas homeowners have two options for purchasing flood insurance: buying a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or from a private insurance company.
The NFIP provides building property coverage of up to $250,000 and personal property contents coverage of up to $100,000. An NFIP policy covers the property under replacement cost but assesses contents for actual cash value. You can also purchase excess coverage through private insurance companies.
The federal government created the NFIP because only a limited number of private insurers offered coverage. While more insurers offer flood insurance today, private insurance premiums may be more expensive than NFIP policies. You can call FEMA at 1 (877) 336-2627 to see which insurance companies in your area offer NFIP flood insurance.
Dozens of insurance companies offer their own or NFIP flood insurance. Checking with your home insurance company could help you secure a discounted rate through bundling.
You need an active flood insurance policy in place before the damage occurs. Remember that most flood insurance policies have a 30-day waiting period from policy acceptance to activation.
Tips for filing a flood insurance claim in Texas
Before, during, and after the flood, make sure that you and your family are in a safe, secure location. When you’re ready to assess the damage and file a claim, keep these tips in mind:
Document the damage. Take photographs, and write out a list of damaged items for you to reference and provide during the claim process.
Start your claim early. You should start your claim as soon as possible and file it within 60 days.
Work with your adjuster. A claims adjuster will assess the damage after you file your claim. Don’t throw away damaged items until the adjuster documents them.
Decide when to begin repairs. You can start repairs before receiving your claim payment, but you should always check with your agent or adjuster before signing a contract.
Be patient with your payment. It can take four to eight weeks after the adjuster’s assessment for you to receive compensation.[8]
Determine if you need to file additional claims. After filing your flood insurance claim, determine if you need to file claims for additional damages through your auto policy, homeowners insurance, or windstorm and hail insurance through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).
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Average cost of home insurance in Texas
The average monthly cost of home insurance in Texas is $343, which doesn’t include the cost of a separate flood insurance policy. Your insurance costs may be higher or lower than this average based on factors like your home’s age, ZIP code, credit history, and the cost to replace your house.
The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, April 22 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Data reviewed by Chase Gardner
Chase GardnerData Insights Manager
Data expert on auto trends and driver behavior
University of Chicago graduate with statistics degree
Chase spearheads analytics for Insurify’s data insights team. With his deep expertise in insurance data, Chase is often interviewed on industry trends.
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Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| USAA | $215 |
| Farmers | $226 |
| Travelers | $246 |
| Foremost | $297 |
| Nationwide | $304 |
| State Farm | $356 |
| Allstate | $429 |
| Chubb | $702 |
Texas flood insurance FAQs
Before you buy flood insurance, make sure you understand what it covers, what it excludes, and whether Texas property owners legally need to buy a flood insurance policy.
How much does flood insurance cost in Texas?
Flood insurance in Texas costs a median annual price of $779, according to FEMA data.
Does Texas require flood insurance?
No. Texas state law doesn’t legally require flood insurance. But most mortgage lenders will require properties in designated flood zones to purchase a separate flood policy.
Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage in Texas?
No. Standard home insurance policies don’t cover flood damage in Texas. Property owners should consider a separate flood insurance policy that covers property and personal contents damage.
How do you file a claim for flood damage in Texas?
Immediately contact your insurance agent or use your insurance company’s website or mobile app to file a claim. Remember, you’ll need to file separate claims for flood damage and other storm-related property damage.
How does the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) work?
Properties within participating NFIP communities are eligible for flood insurance. The NFIP Quoting Tool provides flood insurance coverage options available for purchase from flood insurance companies.
How do you determine if your property is in a flood zone in Texas?
Multiple federal, state, and local websites display flood maps that indicate a property’s flood risk. FEMA.gov, FloodSmart.gov, and TexasFlood.org provide detailed flood risk information for Texas property owners.
Methodology
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
- Dwelling coverage: $300,000
- Deductible: $1,000
- Personal property limit: $25,000
- Liability limit: $300,000
Additional data points beyond these default values are sourced from Insurify’s proprietary database. Rates are updated monthly.
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Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance. "Flash Flood Safety."
- Texas Department of Insurance. "Flood insurance: Why you need a policy."
- Federal Emergency Management Association. "What are Flood Zones and Maps?."
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "Do I Need Flood Insurance? Why You Should Consider a Flood Policy to Protect Your Home."
- Federal Emergency Management Association. "Flood Zones."
- Federal Emergency Management Association. "What is a flood?."
- National Flood Insurance Program. "Cost of Flood Insurance for Single-Family Homes under NFIP’s Pricing Approach."
- Federal Emergency Management Association. "How to start a flood insurance claim."
)
Nick DaukInsurance Writer
6+ years writing about insurance, travel, and personal finances
Contributor to brands like Credible
In addition to insurance, Nick specializes in writing about business, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and travel. He’s been featured in myriad web publications, including Fox Business.
Featured in
In addition to insurance, Nick specializes in writing about business, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and travel. He’s been featured in myriad web publications, including Fox Business.
Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
Chase GardnerData Insights Manager
Data expert on auto trends and driver behavior
University of Chicago graduate with statistics degree
Chase spearheads analytics for Insurify’s data insights team. With his deep expertise in insurance data, Chase is often interviewed on industry trends.
Featured in