8+ years writing about insurance, taxes, and personal finance
Certified public accountant
Janet applies her experience in personal finance, taxes, and accounting to make complex financial topics accessible. Her byline has appeared on numerous web media.
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga and crocheting.
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Many areas of Virginia are prone to flooding — not just coastal cities like Virginia Beach. The state’s network of rivers can overflow their banks, and the remnants of hurricanes can cause devastating floods and mudslides as far west as Buchanan County.
Despite this risk, only 3% of Virginians have flood insurance, according to the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).[1]Standard homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage, although your mortgage company may require it if you live in a high-risk flood zone.
Keep reading to learn how flood insurance works, what it might cost in Virginia, whether you need it, and how to secure coverage to protect your home and finances.
Quick Facts
The average cost of flood insurance in Virginia is $708 annually, which is a little lower than the national average of $786.
If you live in a high-risk flood zone, known as a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), your mortgage company may require you to buy flood insurance.[2]
Flood insurance will cover your personal property, the structure of your home, and debris removal.
Cost of flood insurance in Virginia
Several factors affect flood insurance rates, including property location, flood risk level in the area, building characteristics, and coverage amounts.
The average flood insurance policy in Virginia costs $708 per year, according to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This is less than the nationwide average of $786.
Your costs may vary depending on where you live. To help you understand the cost of insuring your home and belongings from flood damage, the table below shows Virginia’s independent cities and counties with the cheapest and most expensive average flood insurance premiums.[3]
County
Annual Flood Insurance Cost
Radford
$509
Suffolk
$516
Williamsburg
$524
Arlington
$524
Bristol
$535
Cumberland
$1,132
Richmond
$1,161
Warren
$1,260
Waynesboro
$1,437
Norton
$1,920
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Do you need flood insurance in Virginia?
While not required by law, the Virginia DCR highly recommends flood insurance for Virginia property owners due to the high flood risk in the state.[1]
If you live in a high-risk flood zone, known as a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), your mortgage company may require you to buy flood insurance. But even if you live outside these communities, the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns makes flood insurance a smart investment.
Without flood insurance, your homeowners insurance or renters policy won’t cover any damage that floodwaters or heavy rains cause, leaving you to bear the entire financial burden of repairs.
The DCR estimates that just 1 inch of water in a home can cause $25,000 or more in damage, making flood insurance affordable in comparison.[1]
How to determine your flood risk
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) categorizes flood risks into zones, with high-risk areas labeled as SFHAs. It determines these zones based on historical flood data and geographical and environmental factors.
Standard homeowners’ insurance policies don’t include flood coverage, making separate flood insurance, or buying a flood coverage endorsement from your regular insurance company, essential for comprehensive protection.
Flood insurance provides several coverages that a standard homeowners policy doesn’t, including:
Building coverage
This covers the structural elements of your home, including your foundation, electrical and plumbing systems, HVAC equipment, appliances, flooring, and built-in cabinetry.
Personal property
This protects your personal belongings, like furniture, clothing, electronics, and other personal items, up to the policy limits.
Debris removal
This covers the cost of removing debris from your property after a flood.
Loss avoidance
This coverage reimburses you for measures you take to protect your property from imminent flood damage, like buying sandbags or water pumps.
Increased cost of compliance
This provides up to $30,000 to help bring your home into compliance with local floodplain-management regulations after a flood.
While flood insurance provides essential protection, it does have exclusions. Here’s what flood insurance typically doesn’t cover:
Living expenses: Policies through the NFIP don’t cover temporary housing costs if you need to move out while your home undergoes repairs.
Vehicles: Flood insurance doesn’t cover your car, but if you have comprehensive coverage, it should cover any flood damage.
Outdoor property and structures: These policies don’t cover damage to property outside of your home, like fences, patios, swimming pools, hot tubs, or landscaping.
Business interruption: If you own a home-based business, your home’s flood insurance won’t cover financial losses due to a flood interrupting your business operations.
Currency and other valuable papers: A standard flood insurance policy doesn’t cover lost cash, precious metals, stock certificates, or other valuable papers.
Personal property stored in your basement: A standard flood insurance policy doesn’t cover property stored in a basement. But it does cover items in the basement connected to a power source, like your washer and dryer, air conditioning unit, freezers, and the food in them.
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How to buy flood insurance in Virginia
You can purchase flood insurance through the NFIP or private insurance companies.
Policies issued by the NFIP are standardized and widely available, even if you live in a high-risk area. But coverage limits may be lower than those from private insurance companies. For example, coverage from the NFIP for residential properties is capped at $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for the building’s contents.
Some home insurance companies offer flood insurance policies independent of the NFIP. While these policies might be more expensive, they may provide higher coverage limits and additional options, such as paying for living expenses while your home undergoes repairs.
To find insurance companies that sell flood insurance in Virginia, check out the NFIP’s Find a Flood Insurance Provider tool.
Keep in mind there may be a 30-day waiting period before your flood coverage takes effect, so don’t wait until you see flood waters headed your way.
Tips for filing a flood insurance claim in Virginia
Filing a flood claim can be complicated. Here are steps to help you manage the process.
Contact your insurance company. Notify your insurance company immediately after the flood. Provide your policy number and as many details about the damage as possible.
Document the damage. Take photos and videos of all affected areas and items. Make a detailed inventory of damaged property.
Prevent further damage. Make temporary repairs to prevent additional damage. For example, using a wet vacuum to remove water and opening doors and windows to let air flow throughout the home can prevent mold. Keep receipts for any repair expenses.
Keep damaged items. Don’t throw out any damaged property until the insurance adjuster sees it unless it poses a health risk.
Meet with your adjuster. Your insurance company will assign an adjuster to assess the damage. Schedule an appointment with your adjuster as soon as possible and give them all your documentation and receipts.
Submit a proof of loss. Your insurance company may require a Proof of Loss Form. The form is a sworn statement of the amount you’re claiming.
Track your claim. Keep in touch with your adjuster or the insurance company’s claims representative to follow up on the progress of your claim.
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Virginia flood insurance FAQs
Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions about flood insurance in Virginia to help you understand your options.
What is the average cost of flood insurance in Virginia?
The average cost of flood insurance in Virginia is $708 annually, according to the National Flood Insurance Program, which is lower than the national average of $786.
Is flood insurance required in Virginia?
No. Virginia law doesn’t require flood insurance. Your mortgage lender may require you to carry flood insurance if you live in a Special Flood Hazard Area.
How do I buy flood insurance in Virginia?
You can buy flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program or private insurance companies. Check out the NFIP’s website or ask your insurance agent about available private flood insurance options.
What does flood insurance cover, and what doesn’t it cover?
Flood insurance covers structural damage, personal property, debris removal, and loss avoidance expenses. It doesn’t cover your living expenses while your home is being repaired, vehicles, outdoor property, financial losses, or property stored in a basement.
Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA is a freelance writer with a background in accounting and income tax planning and preparation. She's passionate about making complicated financial topics accessible to readers. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and son and their rescue dog, Dexter. Visit her website at www.jberryjohnson.com.
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga and crocheting.
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