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


Updated: October 3, 2024

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Alabama's county-level and individual risk factors, such as the structure of your home and the frequency of floods, affect the cost of flood insurance. Usually, your homeowner or renters insurance won’t cover flood insurance.

Flooding in Alabama occurs quite frequently. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), one inch of flood water may cost up to $25,000. Even if your Alabama house is in a low-risk flood zone, you should think about purchasing flood insurance to safeguard yourself from the high costs of flood-related damage.

Through the NFIP, the average price for flood insurance in Alabama is $732. This average may differ significantly depending on where you reside.

Jefferson County has had the most flooding events in Alabama since 1996. Coosa County has had the fewest.

Perry County has the lowest premiums in Alabama, while Clay County has the most expensive policies.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance in Alabama

Alabama's average annual cost of flood insurance is $732 due to the state's number of flood-prone locations. However, rates may vary depending on your proximity to a flood zone and certain property risks. People who reside in flood-prone areas frequently pay higher insurance premiums.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance by County in Alabama

Alabama's average flood insurance premiums are less expensive than the national average. This could be because Alabama has fewer flood zones.

The lowest premiums, at around $319 yearly, are found in Perry County, while the highest premiums, at roughly $3,576 annually, are found in Clay County. The MoneyGeek table below displays the typical cost of flood insurance for each county in Alabama.

Alabama Flood Insurance Cost per County
AUTAUGA COUNTYAverage Cost$824
BALDWIN COUNTYAverage Cost$492
BARBOUR COUNTYAverage Cost$1,069
BIBB COUNTYAverage Cost$1,822
BLOUNT COUNTYAverage Cost$778
BULLOCK COUNTYAverage Cost$524
BUTLER COUNTYAverage Cost$479
CALHOUN COUNTYAverage Cost$1,225
CHAMBERS COUNTYAverage Cost$1,390
CHEROKEE COUNTYAverage Cost$729
CHILTON COUNTYAverage Cost$841
CHOCTAW COUNTYAverage Cost$902
CLARKE COUNTYAverage Cost$1,076
CLAY COUNTYAverage Cost$3,576
CLEBURNE COUNTYAverage Cost$518
COFFEE COUNTYAverage Cost$895
COLBERT COUNTYAverage Cost$1,064
CONECUH COUNTYAverage Cost$635
COOSA COUNTYAverage Cost$913
COVINGTON COUNTYAverage Cost$879
CRENSHAW COUNTYAverage Cost$669
CULLMAN COUNTYAverage Cost$1,003
DALE COUNTYAverage Cost$581
DALLAS COUNTYAverage Cost$900
DEKALB COUNTYAverage Cost$1,086
EARLY COUNTYAverage Cost$1,304
ELMORE COUNTYAverage Cost$818
ESCAMBIA COUNTYAverage Cost$3,022
ETOWAH COUNTYAverage Cost$882
FAYETTE COUNTYAverage Cost$671
FRANKLIN COUNTYAverage Cost$879
GENEVA COUNTYAverage Cost$1,043
GREENE COUNTYAverage Cost$840
HALE COUNTYAverage Cost$892
HENRY COUNTYAverage Cost$1,175
HOUSTON COUNTYAverage Cost$809
JACKSON COUNTYAverage Cost$907
JEFFERSON COUNTYAverage Cost$1,257
LAMAR COUNTYAverage Cost$785
LAUDERDALE COUNTYAverage Cost$873
LAWRENCE COUNTYAverage Cost$796
LEE COUNTYAverage Cost$647
LIMESTONE COUNTYAverage Cost$833
LOWNDES COUNTYAverage Cost$664
MACON COUNTYAverage Cost$682
MADISON COUNTYAverage Cost$867
MARENGO COUNTYAverage Cost$989
MARION COUNTYAverage Cost$1,347
MARSHALL COUNTYAverage Cost$1,062
MOBILE COUNTYAverage Cost$1,087
MONROE COUNTYAverage Cost$678
MONTGOMERY COUNTYAverage Cost$815
MORGAN COUNTYAverage Cost$890
PERRY COUNTYAverage Cost$319
PICKENS COUNTYAverage Cost$1,111
PIKE COUNTYAverage Cost$1,038
RANDOLPH COUNTYAverage Cost$879
RUSSELL COUNTYAverage Cost$1,465
SHELBY COUNTYAverage Cost$960
ST. CLAIR COUNTYAverage Cost$742
SUMTER COUNTYAverage Cost$592
TALLADEGA COUNTYAverage Cost$948
TALLAPOOSA COUNTYAverage Cost$824
TUSCALOOSA COUNTYAverage Cost$892
WALKER COUNTYAverage Cost$1,049
WASHINGTON COUNTYAverage Cost$1,016
WILCOX COUNTYAverage Cost$697
WINSTON COUNTYAverage Cost$1,126

Companies That Offer Flood Insurance in Alabama

Many people get their flood insurance through the NFIP, but you can also get it through a private insurance company. Similar to NFIP policies, these frequently have a base policy as well as an excess policy (supplemental coverage for a base policy).

Homeowners in Alabama should evaluate private carriers if they feel that the NFIP coverage is insufficient or that they are not a part of an NFIP community.

Private Flood Insurance Providers in AL and Their Contact Numbers
Company
Contact

Neptune Flood

727-202-4815

Aon Private Flood

888-281-0684

Hiscox - FloodPlus

866-283-7545

FloodSimple Insurance Services

844-803-8788

Chubb

866-324-8222

Residents can get flood insurance from NFIP partner insurance companies with offices in Alabama. MoneyGeek compiled a list of NFIP-affiliated insurance companies and their accompanying phone numbers below.

NFIP-Participating Flood Insurance Providers in Alabama and Their Contact Numbers
Company
Contact

Allstate Insurance Company

(800) 527-2634

American Nat. Prop. & Casualty

(417) 887-4990

American Strategic Ins. Corp.

(866) 274-8765

Assurant

(800) 423-4403

Auto-Owners Insurance Co.

Refer to the Agent locator

Baldwin Mutual Ins. Co. Inc.

(877) 943-8526

Centauri Specialty Ins. Company

(866) 318-4113

Coastal American Insurance Company

(855) 836-4950

How to Purchase Flood Insurance and Its Coverage Requirements

Purchasing flood insurance in Alabama is straightforward since there are no additional coverage requirements. Contact the NFIP Hotline at 877-336-2627 or your home insurance agent to get started.

Since the NFIP has a 30-day waiting period, purchase your flood insurance policy as early as you can. Private insurance providers in Alabama, however, may only impose a waiting period of ten days or more. Consult your insurance agent for more information.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Alabama?

A regular flood insurance policy in Alabama will cover your building and its contents. Remember that a single inch of water inside your home might cause as much as $25,000 in flood damage.

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

When evaluating flood insurance, the term "flood" refers to natural damage rather than flooding brought on by man-made water damage, such as a broken pipe or leaky appliances. This means that flood insurance won’t cover non-natural water damage.

The only things that flood insurance covers are structures and personal property. Your basement is not covered, nor are any pools, decks, money or landscaping. In addition, an insurance policy against floods does not cover vehicle flooding.

Flood Insurance Building Coverage

Building coverage is one component of a standard flood insurance policy. This covers damage to the actual structure of your house, such as:

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

With an NFIP insurance, Alabama residents can purchase up to $250,000 in building coverage.

Flood Insurance Contents Coverage

Flood insurance contents coverage will pay to fix or replace your personal belongings in a covered event. The following is a list of some of the personal items that flood insurance frequently covers:

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

A typical NFIP policy has a $100,000 cap on contents coverage.

Factors That Affect Flood Insurance Costs in Alabama

Before October 2021, geographic factors alone were used by insurance companies to determine the price of flood insurance. FEMA's interactive maps allow users to view flood risks in counties throughout the country.

With 119 flood incidents since 1996, Jefferson County has experienced more flooding than any other county in Alabama. The lowest number of incidences, meanwhile, is seven in Coosa County. Flood insurance costs around $1,257 in Jefferson and $913 in Coosa per year.

Risk Rating 2.0

In October 2021, FEMA introduced Risk Rating 2.0. This system examines specific property concerns, such as the building's foundation, structure, elevation, replacement and repair costs as well as how frequently it floods, in addition to mapping flood zones.

However, where you live still has a significant impact on the cost of your flood insurance in Alabama. Here is a breakdown of a few of MoneyGeek's flood insurance cost-determining elements.

    building icon

    Flood Risk

    Alabama has fewer places that are vulnerable to flooding, which lowers the cost of flood insurance. However, Risk Rating 2.0 also assesses specific risk factors. As a result, you may get a different rate from your neighbor.

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    Coverage Type

    Your costs will also be impacted by the type of coverage you select. More extensive coverage will have a higher premium and vice versa. Alabama’s county where you reside will also have an impact on the coverage.

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    Deductible

    If you select a higher deductible, your premiums can be less expensive. That said, you'll be responsible for paying more when you make a claim. Usually, deductibles run from $1,000 to $10,000.

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    Age of Structure

    The age of your building is also important. Older buildings have greater insurance costs for residents.

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    Structure Design

    The building materials and structural design of your property also have an impact on the cost of your flood insurance.

Do You Need Flood Insurance in Alabama?

Flood insurance is not typically included in renters or homeowners insurance policies.

Private flood insurance comes with advantages. Providers must still pay claims if your home floods, even if a presidential disaster proclamation has not been issued. The cost of flood damage can easily exceed the $5,000 household grant level that is typically provided by the federal government for disaster relief.

Every property is vulnerable to floods, so it doesn't matter if you live in a low or moderate-risk location. Flood insurance is required for people with mortgages who live in high-risk flood zones and offers additional protection to policyholders.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama Flood Insurance

Flood insurance is a potentially complicated topic. MoneyGeek has answered some frequently asked questions to help you purchase a policy.

What is the average cost of flood insurance in Alabama?
Which companies offer flood insurance in Alabama?
What kind of damage does flood insurance cover?
What affects flood insurance rates in Alabama?

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.


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