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

Flooding can occur in Connecticut throughout the year but is most common during the summer and winter. Several rivers run through Connecticut. Consequently, it is advisable for residents living in moderate-risk or high-risk flood zones to buy flood insurance.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that an inch of water can cause up to $25,000 in damage. FEMA rates may further vary from property to property, depending on factors such as the type of house you live in and the cost to rebuild. Remember that your homeowners or renters insurance may not cover flood damage.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

People living in Connecticut pay an average of $1,477 a year for flood insurance, but your rates may vary based on your county. Factors such as the proximity to a flood zone and individual property risks affect premiums. For example, those in flood-prone areas tend to pay higher premiums.

Connecticut residents purchasing flood insurance pay an average of $710 more than the national average because there are more high-risk flood zones.

MoneyGeek's research revealed that Providence County has the cheapest flood insurance rates in Connecticut at roughly $467 per year. Meanwhile, New London County has the highest average premiums at $1,594 per year. The following table shows you the average flood insurance rates for each county in Connecticut.

Connecticut residents have the choice of buying flood insurance from either the NFIP or private insurance companies. The NFIP offers a base policy that covers damages caused by floods, but an excess policy with supplemental coverage from a private insurer could be a better option for those who need additional protection or those not living in an NFIP community.

MoneyGeek has compiled a list of insurance companies that are affiliated with the NFIP in Connecticut as well as their contact numbers.

You can purchase flood insurance in Connecticut with minimal effort. Call the NFIP Hotline at 877-336-2627 or research home insurance policies from private insurers.

The NFIP has a waiting period of 30 days before your policy goes into effect. MoneyGeek recommends buying your flood insurance policy immediately. While many private insurance companies only have about a 10-day waiting period, it is best to verify this with your agent.

Flood insurance will help pay for repairs to your building and its contents. You could face up to $25,000 in damage for just one inch of water damage.

Basic flood insurance doesn't extend coverage for vehicles, patios, decks, paperwork, basement items, swimming pools or landscaping.

A standard flood insurance policy includes building coverage that protects your home against physical damage, including, but not limited to:

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

The NFIP offers homeowners insurance policies that provide up to $250,000 in coverage for your home.

The part of a flood insurance policy that pays for the repair or replacement of your belongings is content coverage. It protects items like:

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

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

Until October 2021, insurance providers calculated the cost of flood insurance by considering only a home's general location. FEMA offers maps that allow users to view flood risk in each county.

According to FEMA, Hartford County has had 113 flooding events since 1996. Tolland County and Windham County both had 39. The average annual cost of flood insurance in these counties is $1,310, $1,333 and $1,477, respectively.

Hartford County's lower rates may be due to the size of the county. Because it's large, any one flood event is less likely to cause damage than in smaller areas.

In October 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency introduced a new flood risk rating system called Risk Rating 2.0. This system considers factors such as a home's location, foundation type, structure, elevation, replacement and repair costs, proximity to bodies of water and the frequency of flooding in the area.

MoneyGeek goes into detail to explain some of the factors that can affect flood insurance costs in Connecticut.

Flood insurance is a separate policy from your home's homeowners or renters insurance. Along with protecting you from the high costs of flood damage, it can give you a greater sense of security. If you have a mortgage in a high-risk flood zone, you may be required to buy flood insurance.

Flood insurance will pay claims even without a presidential disaster declaration. If your house is uninsured, you may be eligible for federal disaster assistance grants or low-interest loans that range up to $5,000 per household. Flood damage, however, can cost more than that.

These frequently asked questions about flood insurance in Connecticut can help you determine the best option for your needs.