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

Flood insurance is not always part of homeowners or renters insurance policies, but it is a worthwhile investment for anyone living in flood-prone areas who wishes to protect themselves from the costs of flood damage repairs. Premiums can vary based on your address, the type of building you live in and the cost to rebuild.

If you live in a moderate-risk or high-risk flood zone, consider getting flood insurance. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), an inch of water can cost up to $25,000.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

The average Maryland resident pays about $617 per year for flood insurance. Among other factors, premiums vary based on one's proximity to a flood zone and individual property risks. Residents of flood-prone areas tend to pay higher premiums.

Maryland has fewer high-risk flood zones than other states, which may help explain why flood insurance policies are cheaper in Maryland.

MoneyGeek found that residents of Sussex County pay the cheapest flood insurance on average at $235, while residents of Allegany County pay the most expensive at about $1,385 per year. The table below shows the average rates for each Maryland county.

Maryland residents can choose between the NFIP and private insurance companies when purchasing flood insurance. Private insurers often offer an excess policy with supplemental coverage for the base policy.

For those not sufficiently covered by an NFIP policy or living outside an NFIP community, private insurance can provide a helpful supplement to a base policy.

The NFIP has partnered with insurance companies in Maryland to offer flood insurance. For your convenience, MoneyGeek compiled a list of these companies and their respective contact numbers.

Purchasing flood insurance in Maryland is easy since no requirements exist. Call the NFIP Hotline at 877-336-2627 or your home insurance agent to get started.

The NFIP has a 30-day waiting period before you can file a flood insurance claim. MoneyGeek recommends purchasing your policy at your earliest convenience. Many private companies have waiting periods that are only 10 days, so make sure to call your insurance agent for clarification.

Flood insurance covers damages to your building and its contents. Floods can cause more than $25,000 in damage for just one inch of water inside your home.

Basic flood insurance only covers personal belongings and structure damage. It doesn't extend coverage to vehicles, patios, decks, paperwork, basement items, swimming pools or landscaping.

A standard flood insurance policy includes building coverage. This protects you from damage 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

Note that the NFIP offers homeowners insurance policies that provide up to $250,000 in building coverage.

The other part of a flood insurance policy is content coverage. It covers your belongings, such as:

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

If you're a policyholder with the NFIP, you can get up to $100,000 in contents coverage.

Until October 2021, the cost of flood insurance was calculated based on the general location of a property. FEMA provides interactive maps that allow people to view flood risk by county.

According to FEMA's data on Maryland, the counties with the most and least flooding events since 1996 are Montgomery County (166) and Somerset County (27). The average annual cost of flood insurance in these counties is $611 and $796, respectively.

Montgomery County's lower rates could be due to its size. The county is much larger than many surrounding counties, which helps reduce the effects of any one flood event.

In October 2021, FEMA introduced Risk Rating 2.0. It evaluates flooding risks more effectively. It checks your home's foundation type, structure, elevation, replacement and repair costs, proximity to bodies of water and flooding frequency in the area.

Risk Rating 2.0 customizes calculations of insurance rates, but where you live still determines the bulk of your rate. MoneyGeek explains some of the factors that can affect flood insurance costs in Maryland.

Homeowners and renters insurance policies do not include flood coverage. You can purchase flood insurance separately, especially if you live in a low or moderate-risk area. Individuals with mortgages in high-risk flood zones may be required to buy flood insurance. By purchasing flood insurance, policyholders can protect themselves from the high costs of flood damage.

If your home is flooded and there isn't a presidential disaster declaration, flood insurance providers still have to pay claims. Additionally, typical federal disaster assistance grants are capped at $5,000 per household, which often isn't enough to completely cover flood damage costs.

MoneyGeek answered some of the most common questions about flood insurance in Maryland to help you determine if this coverage is right for you.