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

The cost of flood insurance in Kentucky depends on the county in which you reside and the local risk factors like structure age, type of construction and ground elevation. Your homeowners or renters insurance typically won't include flood coverage for natural disasters.

Regardless of where you live, having flood insurance is wise since any property can experience flooding. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 in damages.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

The state of Kentucky has an annual average flood insurance cost of $1,184. Your premiums are affected by the risks associated with your neighborhood and your specific property. If you reside in a flood-prone area, your insurance premiums could be higher than someone in a low-risk zone.

Annually, Kentucky households pay approximately $417 more for flood insurance than the national average. This is due to the possibility that Kentucky contains more flood-prone locations than other states.

MoneyGeek discovered that Hickman County has the lowest annual average cost of flood insurance at around $387. On the other hand, Washington County has the most expensive flood insurance rates in Kentucky, at roughly $2,970 annually.

The following table details how much flood insurance is in Kentucky by county.

Flood insurance is available to residents of Kentucky through the NFIP and private insurance firms. Private companies sell coverage comparable to those offered by the NFIP. In addition, these insurance companies offer excess coverage for extra protection.

If a household resides outside of an NFIP neighborhood or an NFIP policy is insufficient, a private insurance company could be the best option.

The NFIP collaborates with various insurance firms in Kentucky to provide flood coverage to homeowners. MoneyGeek compiled a list of NFIP-participating insurance companies and their respective contact information.

There are no requirements to purchase flood insurance, so you can buy coverage easily in Kentucky. Contact NFIP at 877-336-2627 or your homeowners insurance company to get started.

There is a 30-day waiting period for the NFIP before coverage takes effect. MoneyGeek recommends purchasing coverage as soon as possible. You can contact private insurance firms, but they may have a 10-day waiting time. However, you should confirm with your agent.

The contents of your home or building are covered by your flood insurance. Keep in mind that one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 in damage.

Typically, flood insurance protects your personal property in addition to the structure. However, vehicle floods, basement storage, landscaping, pools and documents are not covered.

Flood insurance building coverage protects you against unanticipated expenses resulting from a variety of physical damages to your house or structure.

It also covers:

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

Obtaining an NFIP policy can provide up to $250,000 in protection.

In addition to covering your home's internal systems and features, flood insurance also protects your personal items.

Included among these items are:

• Clothing
• Furniture
• Electronic equipment
• Washers and dryers
• Artwork

An NFIP policy can provide protection of up to $100,000.

Until October 2021, insurance firms primarily used a home’s location to determine flood insurance costs. Through interactive maps, FEMA allows individuals to examine the historical flood risk of U.S. counties for each state.

According to FEMA, Robertson County has the fewest instances of flooding in Kentucky, with 11, while McCracken County has the most, with 143. In these counties, the average cost of flood insurance is $507 and $1,162, respectively.

While McCracken County isn’t the most expensive area in Kentucky, this could be due to its size. Flood events spread out in a wide area can reduce premiums.

Risk Rating 2.0 was introduced by FEMA in October 2021. It examines aspects of a property's vulnerability, including its elevation, the likelihood of floods, its proximity to bodies of water and more.

This system gives additional information so that insurance companies can make more precise calculations. However, your premiums are primarily determined by your location.

In the table below, MoneyGeek compiled information regarding the cost factors of flood insurance.

Typically, your renters or homeowners insurance policy won't include flood insurance. Every structure is susceptible to disasters such as floods, so purchasing coverage is prudent. Even if you live in a low or moderate-risk location, it protects you and your home.

Residents in high-risk flood zones who have mortgages on their homes are required to have flood insurance.

Even without a presidential disaster declaration, private insurance companies must pay your flood claims. Damages may exceed the federal assistance maximum of $5,000 per household.

Flood insurance provides you with peace of mind since it offers extra protection for your home.

It can be very overwhelming to try to figure out how to estimate flood insurance costs in Kentucky. To help you, MoneyGeek has provided answers to these questions.