Updated: May 22, 2024
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The cost of flood insurance in Kentucky depends on the county in which you reside and the local risk factors like structure age, type of construction and ground elevation. Your homeowners or renters insurance typically won't include flood coverage for natural disasters.
Regardless of where you live, having flood insurance is wise since any property can experience flooding. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 in damages.
The average cost of flood insurance in Kentucky is higher than the national average.
Washington County has the most expensive flood insurance premiums in Kentucky.
Robertson County has had the fewest flooding events in Kentucky since 1996.
The state of Kentucky has an annual average flood insurance cost of $1,184. Your premiums are affected by the risks associated with your neighborhood and your specific property. If you reside in a flood-prone area, your insurance premiums could be higher than someone in a low-risk zone.
Annually, Kentucky households pay approximately $417 more for flood insurance than the national average. This is due to the possibility that Kentucky contains more flood-prone locations than other states.
MoneyGeek discovered that Hickman County has the lowest annual average cost of flood insurance at around $387. On the other hand, Washington County has the most expensive flood insurance rates in Kentucky, at roughly $2,970 annually.
The following table details how much flood insurance is in Kentucky by county.
| ADAIR COUNTY | Average Cost$1,063 |
| ALLEN COUNTY | Average Cost$1,181 |
| ANDERSON COUNTY | Average Cost$1,323 |
| BALLARD COUNTY | Average Cost$981 |
| BARREN COUNTY | Average Cost$1,008 |
| BATH COUNTY | Average Cost$1,010 |
| BELL COUNTY | Average Cost$1,398 |
| BOONE COUNTY | Average Cost$1,049 |
Flood insurance is available to residents of Kentucky through the NFIP and private insurance firms. Private companies sell coverage comparable to those offered by the NFIP. In addition, these insurance companies offer excess coverage for extra protection.
If a household resides outside of an NFIP neighborhood or an NFIP policy is insufficient, a private insurance company could be the best option.
Company | Contact |
|---|---|
Neptune Flood | 727-202-4815 |
Hiscox - FloodPlus | 866-283-7545 |
FloodSimple Insurance Services | 844-803-8788 |
Chubb | 866-324-8222 |
Zurich Insurance Group | 800-382-2150 |
Swiss Re | 800-241-8310 |
Berkshire Hathaway | 800-673-2465 |
The NFIP collaborates with various insurance firms in Kentucky to provide flood coverage to homeowners. MoneyGeek compiled a list of NFIP-participating insurance companies and their respective contact information.
Company | Contact |
|---|---|
Allstate Insurance Company | (800) 527-2634 |
American Commerce Ins. Co. | (800) 562-4517 |
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 |
Everett Cash Mutual Ins. Co. | (800) 326-4968 |
Farmers Insurance Group | (866) 865-2965 |
Hartford Fire Insurance Co. | (860) 547-7440 |
Hartford Underwriters Ins. Co. | (800) 296-7542 |
Homesite Insurance Company | (800) 466-3748 |
Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company | (800) 283-6033 |
National General Insurance Co | (800) 462-2123 |
NFIP Direct Servicing Agent | (800) 638-6620 |
NGM Insurance Company | (603) 352-4000 |
Occidental Fire & Casualty | (800) 780-8423 |
Pacific Specialty Insurance Company | (800)-303-5000 |
Philadelphia Indemnity Ins. Co | (877) 672-7945 ext. 8295 |
Privilege Underwriters | (888) 813-7873 |
QBE Insurance Corporation | (877) 372-3996 |
Selective Ins. Co. Of America | (877) 348-0552 |
Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company | (800) 647-8052 |
USAA General Indemnity Company | (210) 531-USAA (8722) |
Westfield Insurance Company | (800) 243-0210 |
Wright National Flood Ins. Co. | (866) 373-5663 |
There are no requirements to purchase flood insurance, so you can buy coverage easily in Kentucky. Contact NFIP at 877-336-2627 or your homeowners insurance company to get started.
There is a 30-day waiting period for the NFIP before coverage takes effect. MoneyGeek recommends purchasing coverage as soon as possible. You can contact private insurance firms, but they may have a 10-day waiting time. However, you should confirm with your agent.
The contents of your home or building are covered by your flood insurance. Keep in mind that one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 in damage.
"Flood" refers to water damage caused by a natural occurrence or weather event. Flooding caused by any other unnatural source of water damage is not covered by flood insurance.
Typically, flood insurance protects your personal property in addition to the structure. However, vehicle floods, basement storage, landscaping, pools and documents are not covered.
Flood insurance building coverage protects you against unanticipated expenses resulting from a variety of physical damages to your house or structure.
It also covers:
Obtaining an NFIP policy can provide up to $250,000 in protection.
In addition to covering your home's internal systems and features, flood insurance also protects your personal items.
Included among these items are:
An NFIP policy can provide protection of up to $100,000.
Until October 2021, insurance firms primarily used a home’s location to determine flood insurance costs. Through interactive maps, FEMA allows individuals to examine the historical flood risk of U.S. counties for each state.
According to FEMA, Robertson County has the fewest instances of flooding in Kentucky, with 11, while McCracken County has the most, with 143. In these counties, the average cost of flood insurance is $507 and $1,162, respectively.
While McCracken County isn’t the most expensive area in Kentucky, this could be due to its size. Flood events spread out in a wide area can reduce premiums.
Risk Rating 2.0 was introduced by FEMA in October 2021. It examines aspects of a property's vulnerability, including its elevation, the likelihood of floods, its proximity to bodies of water and more.
This system gives additional information so that insurance companies can make more precise calculations. However, your premiums are primarily determined by your location.
In the table below, MoneyGeek compiled information regarding the cost factors of flood insurance.
Flood Risk
This refers to the location of your property and whether it is in a flood-risk zone. The Risk Rating 2.0 evaluates multiple parameters and pinpoints your location. Therefore, you may receive a different estimate from your neighbor.
Coverage Type
The type of coverage you select impacts the cost of your insurance premium. More coverage will increase your insurance cost. Your county is also a consideration when determining your premium prices.
Deductible
Higher deductibles make premiums more affordable. However, submitting a claim will cost you more, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.
Age of Structure
Insurance companies analyze the age of the home's structure. Older structures mean more considerable insurance costs.
Structure Design
A poorly built structure may necessitate additional coverage. Insurance companies examine your home's structure and factor it into your premiums.
Typically, your renters or homeowners insurance policy won't include flood insurance. Every structure is susceptible to disasters such as floods, so purchasing coverage is prudent. Even if you live in a low or moderate-risk location, it protects you and your home.
Residents in high-risk flood zones who have mortgages on their homes are required to have flood insurance.
Even without a presidential disaster declaration, private insurance companies must pay your flood claims. Damages may exceed the federal assistance maximum of $5,000 per household.
Flood insurance provides you with peace of mind since it offers extra protection for your home.
It can be very overwhelming to try to figure out how to estimate flood insurance costs in Kentucky. To help you, MoneyGeek has provided answers to these questions.
The annual average cost of flood insurance in Kentucky is $1,184. However, insurance costs vary depending on the county. The lowest yearly average cost of flood insurance is $387 in Hickman County. At roughly $2,970 annually, Washington County has the most expensive flood insurance rates in Kentucky.
Flood insurance is available to Kentucky residents from the NFIP, partner companies and private insurance providers.
Flood insurance protects against flood damage caused by natural calamities. It contributes to the cost of necessary repairs or replacements to your home’s structure and its contents.
In Kentucky, the cost of your insurance depends on a number of things. These include the property's location, coverage type, construction design, foundation type, building age and deductible.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick 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.
