How Much Is Flood Insurance in Illinois? Average Flood Insurance Cost and Coverage

Flood insurance rates in Illinois will depend on county and individual risk factors, such as the structure of your home, your elevation, replacement and repair costs, frequency of flooding and more.

Note that renters or homeowners insurance policies typically don’t cover damages from flooding caused by natural phenomena. And according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), just an inch of water can cost up to $25,000.

Illinois has multiple high-risk flood zones — checking a local flood map can tell you if your household is in one. Even if you live in a low-risk flood zone in Illinois, consider purchasing flood insurance to help you avoid the high costs of flood-related damage.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Cost of Flood Insurance in Illinois
• Flood Insurance Companies in Illinois
• Flood Insurance Coverage
• Flood Insurance Cost Factors in Illinois
• Do You Need Flood Insurance?
• Illinois Flood Insurance FAQs

The average cost of flood insurance in Illinois is $1,105 per year. However, rates can vary widely depending on your proximity to a flood zone and individual property risks. Naturally, those living in flood-prone areas tend to pay higher premiums.

Compared to the national average for flood insurance, average rates in Illinois are approximately $337 more expensive. This might be because Illinois has more high-risk flood zones than some other states.

MoneyGeek found that Ford County has the cheapest premiums in Illinois at $356 per year, whereas Menard County has the priciest rates at $4,179 per year. Below is a table of each Illinois county's average flood insurance rates.

Illinois residents can purchase flood insurance from the NFIP or a private company. Private insurance carriers have a base policy (similar to the NFIP coverage) or an excess policy (supplemental coverage for a base policy).

Opting for a private provider is ideal for households not sufficiently covered by an NFIP policy or those living outside an NFIP community.

The NFIP also has partner insurance companies in Illinois that offer flood coverage. For your convenience, MoneyGeek compiled a list of NFIP-participating insurance companies and their respective contact numbers.

It's usually easy to purchase flood insurance in Illinois since no additional coverage requirements exist. Call the NFIP hotline at 877-336-2627 or your home insurance agent to get started.

Because the NFIP has a 30-day waiting period, MoneyGeek recommends purchasing your flood insurance policy at your earliest convenience. On the other hand, many private insurance providers have a waiting period of 10 days or more. Call your insurance agent to be sure.

Standard flood insurance protects against damages to your building and even its contents. Remember that you could face $25,000 in flood damages for just one inch of water in your home.

Basic flood insurance only covers personal belongings and damage to the structure of your building. It doesn’t extend coverage for vehicle flooding, decks, documents, swimming pools or landscaping.

Building coverage is one part of your standard flood insurance policy. This covers damages to the physical structure of your home, including:

• Foundation walls
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing systems
• Furnaces, central heating and air conditioning
• Built-in appliances
• Permanent carpets
• Built-in furniture

With a policy from the NFIP, buyers can purchase up to $250,000 in building coverage.

On the other hand, contents coverage is the part of flood insurance that protects your items, like:

• Clothing
• Furniture
• Electronic equipment
• Washers and dryers

NFIP policyholders can get contents coverage up to $100,000.

Insurance providers formerly used location alone to calculate the cost of flood insurance. FEMA has interactive maps where you can view the flood risk of U.S. counties per state.

According to FEMA’s Illinois data on flooding events since 1996, Alexander County has had the most (187). By contrast, Stark County has had the least (20). The average annual cost of flood insurance in these counties is $1,043 and $914, respectively.

In October 2021, FEMA introduced a new risk rating system (Risk Rating 2.0). This system evaluates individual property risks — including foundation type, the structure of the building, elevation, replacement and repair costs, and frequency of flooding — in addition to flood zone mapping.

Compared to the older system, Risk Rating 2.0 provides a more tailored premium computation. However, where you live still significantly impacts your flood insurance rate. MoneyGeek breaks down some of these flood insurance cost factors below.

Flood insurance is not included in standard homeowners and renters insurance. Because every property is vulnerable to flooding, purchasing flood insurance is a wise investment, even for those who live in low- or moderate-risk areas. Meanwhile, individuals with mortgages who live in high-risk flood zones must buy flood insurance.

Private flood insurance has its advantages. Providers must still pay claims if your home is flooded and there isn't a presidential disaster declaration. A typical federal disaster assistance grant is capped at $5,000 per household. Flood damage costs easily surpass that cap.

Overall, flood insurance offers policyholders an extra layer of protection and peace of mind.

Flood insurance can be a daunting topic. MoneyGeek answered the most commonly asked questions below to guide you through the process.