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


The flood insurance cost in Delaware varies depending on several risk factors, such as the architecture and elevation of your home, how prone it is to floods and how much repair is needed in case of damage. Note that flood insurance is not often included in a homeowners or renters insurance.

It is important to check your local flood map when deciding whether or not to get coverage in Delaware.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA ), an inch of water can cause up to $25,000 of damage.

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Residents of Delaware pay around $748 annually for flood insurance.

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New Castle County has had the most floods in the state since 1996.

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Sussex County has the most affordable flood insurance rates in Delaware, while New Castle County has the most expensive premiums.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance in Delaware

While the average cost of flood insurance in Delaware is $748, this may vary depending on the property, the location of your home and whether it’s susceptible to flooding. This means high-risk flood insurance costs can be significantly higher than low-risk flood zones.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance by County in Delaware

The average flood insurance policy in Delaware is $20 cheaper than the national average. This indicates Delaware has lower flood risks than other states in the country.

MoneyGeek found that the lowest average cost in Delaware is in Sussex County, which costs $711 annually, while the highest is in New Castle County, which is about $975 annually. The table below shows average flood insurance rates in other Delaware counties.

Delaware Flood Insurance Cost per County
KENT COUNTY$948
NEW CASTLE COUNTY$975
SUSSEX COUNTY$711
WORCESTER COUNTY$724

Companies That Offer Flood Insurance in Delaware

To ensure you'll get the right policy, you should evaluate NFIP and private companies that offer flood insurance in Delaware. Insurance providers offer a base policy and an excess policy. Base policies are like the policy that the NFIP offers. Excess policies are supplemental coverage on top of a base policy.

Private providers are ideal for those who aren't in an NFIP community or aren't satisfied with NFIP coverage.

Private Flood Insurance Providers in DE 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

NFIP has numerous partner insurance companies that offer flood insurance. Below is a rundown of NFIP-participating insurance providers.

NFIP-Participating Flood Insurance Providers in State 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

Farm Family Casualty

(518) 431-5000

Farmers Insurance Group

(866) 865-2965

First Protective Ins. Company / Frontline

(877) 744-5224

Hartford Fire Insurance Co.

(860) 547-7440

How to Purchase Flood Insurance and Its Coverage Requirements

Getting flood insurance is easy because no special requirements are needed. All you need to do is contact your home insurance agent, NFIP Hotline (877-336-2627) or a local flood insurance provider.

MoneyGeek recommends getting this done as soon as possible since the NFIP has a 30-day waiting period and most private insurance companies have a 10-day waiting period. Get in touch with your provider to confirm and discuss your options.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Delaware?

In Delaware, flood insurance policies usually cover the contents within your home and the structure itself. Even an inch of water can cause $25,000 in damages.

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

The term "flood" in flood insurance pertains to water damage resulting from a natural phenomenon or weather. Flooding from broken pipes, leaking appliances or other unnatural water damage is excluded.

Damages to swimming pools, decks, patios, landscaping, cash and paperwork, basement items and vehicles are not included in the coverage. Vehicle flooding coverage is also not included in flood insurance.

Flood Insurance Building Coverage

Building coverage is the most important component of a flood insurance policy. It protects your home from flood damage and even repair or replacement if the damage is beyond repair. Policyholders can get up to $250,000 in building coverage with NFIP insurance.

In terms of building coverage, the following aspects are covered:

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

Flood Insurance Contents Coverage

Aside from building coverage, flood insurance also prevents the loss of personal property. Flood insurance provides protection from the loss of cash, jewelry and other valuables damaged by water. With the NFIP, you can get up to $100,000's worth of contents coverage.

Below 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 Delaware

Previously, the only determining factor for the cost of flood insurance was a flood zone map. If you lived in a certain flood zone, then you would have to pay more for coverage than someone who lives in a low-risk area.

FEMA created an online tool to identify the historical flood risk of your state.

According to MoneyGeek's analysis, New Castle County has had the most flooding events (254) since 1996, whereas Sussex County has the fewest flooding events (102). The average cost in New Castle County is $975, while residents of Sussex County pay around $711 for flood insurance.

Risk Rating 2.0

In October 2021, FEMA created the Risk Rating 2.0 system, which allows more accurate premiums for flood insurance. Location will remain the major determining factor in the final rate. However, foundation type, dwelling structure, elevation, replacement and repair costs, frequency of flooding and proximity to bodies of water also impact rates.

This new pricing methodology promises fairer and more accurate premiums for flood insurance. However, your location will still heavily impact the final rate you’ll get. The list below further explains some factors that influence the cost of your Delaware flood insurance.

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    Flood Risk

    Flood risk is determined individually. In other words, if you live in moderate to high-risk flood zones, you could be charged significantly more than a low-risk resident.

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    Coverage Type

    Depending on the type of coverage (comprehensive or specified), flood insurance costs vary in Delaware. As an example, limited coverage is cheaper than more comprehensive insurance. The level of protection you’ll get may also differ depending on your county and state.

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    Deductible

    Getting higher deductibles means less coverage for your home. You can opt for deductibles from $1,000 to $10,000, but note that you will have to pay more if you opt for a higher deductible when making a claim.

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    Age of Structure

    If your house is older, you might need to pay more for the same coverage. That’s because older homes are more vulnerable to damage and may involve higher expenses for repair.

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    Structure Design

    If you have a house with a strong foundation and deep footings, you should pay lower premiums. This is because such structures are resistant to flooding.

Do You Need Flood Insurance in Delaware?

Flood insurance is a wise investment. Living in a flood-prone area and not mitigating the risk can end up costing you money. High-risk flood zone areas will have a higher flood insurance premium. FEMA recommends obtaining federal government-backed flood insurance for properties in high-risk flood zones.

In the event of weather-related floods, your renters or homeowners insurance won't protect you. Flood insurance is essential. It will cover claims even without a disaster declaration from the president. You can get federal help through a grant or loan amounting to $5,000 per household. However, having flood insurance provides extra security.

Frequently Asked Questions About Delaware Flood Insurance

MoneyGeek sheds light on some of the most frequently asked questions about flood insurance in Delaware.

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

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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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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