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


Updated: October 3, 2024

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The cost of flood insurance in Arizona varies by county and individual factors, such as the architecture of your home, the price of replacement and repairs, flood risks and more. Flooding is often not covered by homeowners or renters insurance.

You should check a local flood map considering Arizona has a number of high-risk flood zones. Also, you should consider getting flood insurance if your address is near a moderate or high-risk flood zone due to the expense of flood damage. The damage caused by an inch of water, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), can reach $25,000.

The average cost of flood insurance in Arizona is $765 per year, which is almost the same as the national average.

Greenlee County has had the fewest flood events in Arizona since 1996, while Pima County has had the most.

Mohave County has the lowest flood insurance rates, and Greenlee County has the highest premiums.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance in Arizona

On average, Arizona residents spend $765 annually on flood insurance. That said, your rates may differ. The state's flood-prone areas and individual property hazards have an impact on the average cost. High-risk flood insurance costs can be substantially higher than low-risk flood zones.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance by County in Arizona

The average flood insurance cost in Arizona is $35 less expensive than the national average due to having fewer flood-prone areas.

According to MoneyGeek, Mohave County has the lowest flood insurance premiums, with annual rates averaging $568. Meanwhile, Greenlee County has the highest annual rate at around $1,505. For additional information on average flood insurance costs in other Arizona counties, see the chart below.

Arizona Flood Insurance Cost Per County
APACHE COUNTYAverage Cost$976
COCHISE COUNTYAverage Cost$817
COCONINO COUNTYAverage Cost$995
GILA COUNTYAverage Cost$1,306
GRAHAM COUNTYAverage Cost$754
GREENLEE COUNTYAverage Cost$1,505
LA PAZ COUNTYAverage Cost$799
MARICOPA COUNTYAverage Cost$643
MOHAVE COUNTYAverage Cost$568
NAVAJO COUNTYAverage Cost$1,117
PIMA COUNTYAverage Cost$889
PINAL COUNTYAverage Cost$713
SANTA CRUZ COUNTYAverage Cost$1,480
YAVAPAI COUNTYAverage Cost$872
YUMA COUNTYAverage Cost$986

Companies That Offer Flood Insurance in Arizona

Many people get their flood insurance via the NFIP, but it is also possible to use private insurance companies. These frequently have a base policy that is similar to NFIP policies, as well as an excess policy that provides extra coverage on top of the base policy.

Families who believe the NFIP coverage is insufficient or who do not reside in an NFIP service area can use commercial providers.

Private Flood Insurance Providers in AZ 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

Arizona-based partner companies of the NFIP also offer flood insurance protection. The complete list of state-participating insurance companies under the NFIP can be found in the table below.

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

Allstate Insurance Company

(800) 527-2634

American Commerce Ins. Co.

(800) 562-4517

American Family Mutual Ins. Co

(800) 692-6326

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

Bankers Insurance Group, DBA: First Community Insurance Company

(800) 627-0000

How to Purchase Flood Insurance and Its Coverage Requirements

In Arizona, buying flood insurance is simple because there are no particular prerequisites to fulfill. You only need to contact your home insurance agent or the NFIP Hotline (877-336-2627).

Given that the NFIP has a 30-day waiting period, it is recommended to get your policy as soon as possible. Private insurance providers, however, may impose a much shorter 10-day waiting period. To verify this, contact your provider.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Arizona?

Building structures and their contents are often covered by flood insurance. Since a single inch of water can cause as much as $25,000 in losses, purchasing flood insurance can be a wise decision.

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Flood insurance does not cover flooding caused by unnatural water damage, such as leaky appliances or burst pipes. It only covers damages caused by weather and natural disasters.

Buildings and personal property are the only things covered by flood insurance. Swimming pools, decks, patios, landscaping, money, documents or objects in the basement are not covered. Similarly, a flood insurance policy does not cover vehicle flooding.

Flood Insurance Building Coverage

One aspect of a standard flood insurance policy is building coverage. This covers damages to your home's actual structure, such as:

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

Policyholders can purchase up to $250,000 in building coverage with an NFIP insurance policy.

Flood Insurance Contents Coverage

When your personal property is damaged by one of the covered perils, flood insurance contents coverage can help cover the cost of replacement or repair. You can get insurance worth up to $100,000 through the NFIP.

The following are some of the items that flood insurance's contents coverage can insure:

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

Factors That Affect Flood Insurance Costs in Arizona

Before October 2021, only your general location had any bearing on the cost of flood insurance. Buyers can use the FEMA website to evaluate their state's and county's historical flood risk.

Since 1996, there have been 25 flooding incidents in Greenlee County, which is the fewest in Arizona, compared to 333 in Pima County. Flood insurance premiums usually cost around $889 in Pima and roughly $1,505 in Greenlee, even though it’s the least flooded county in the state. This could be due to the county’s size.

Risk Rating 2.0

FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 system, which bases rates on specific property risks, went into effect in October 2021. The new method takes into account factors such as your home's elevation, physical structure and rebuilding expenses.

Keep in mind that your location will still have a significant impact on the final pricing you receive. The factors that now affect the price of your Arizona flood insurance are further explained below.

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    Flood Risk

    Flood risk is now assessed on an individual basis thanks to Risk Rating 2.0. This means that you might not share your neighbor's risk of flooding. Premiums may be significantly higher if you reside in a moderate or high-risk flood zone compared to a low-risk flood zone.

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    Coverage Type

    The level of coverage you receive might affect the rates of flood insurance. For example, limited coverage is cheaper than a more comprehensive one. The protection you receive may differ depending on your state and county as well.

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    Deductible

    Your premium could be reduced by selecting a higher deductible. The range of deductibles you can select is usually between $1,000 and $10,000, but keep in mind that you will be liable for paying this sum when making a claim.

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    Age of Structure

    Your building's age is important as well. People who reside in older buildings pay higher insurance premiums mostly because their dwellings are more expensive to repair and rebuild.

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    Structure Design

    Your flood insurance premiums can vary based on the design and even the materials used.

Do You Need Flood Insurance in Arizona?

Every property can flood, so flood insurance could be a wise investment. Government-backed mortgages and lenders will require you to buy flood insurance if you reside in a high-risk flood zone. FEMA also advises acquiring flood insurance if you reside in a low or moderate-risk flood zone.

Homeowners and renters insurance typically don't cover flood damage. Even without a disaster declaration from the president, flood insurance will cover claims. Federal help for disasters only goes up to $5,000 per household. You can get much more than that with flood insurance.

Flood insurance also gives you added peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Flood Insurance

If you still aren’t sure about flood insurance, these frequently asked questions with answers from MoneyGeek might be able to help.

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

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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