Compare Rates and Save on Home Insurance

widget-location-pin

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.


insurance2 icon

The average cost of flood insurance in Kentucky is higher than the national average.

dollarBadge icon

Washington County has the most expensive flood insurance premiums in Kentucky.

flood icon

Robertson County has had the fewest flooding events in Kentucky since 1996.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance in Kentucky

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.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance by County in Kentucky

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.

Kentucky Flood Insurance Cost per County
County
Average Cost

ADAIR COUNTY

$1,063

ALLEN COUNTY

$1,181

ANDERSON COUNTY

$1,323

BALLARD COUNTY

$981

BARREN COUNTY

$1,008

BATH COUNTY

$1,010

BELL COUNTY

$1,398

BOONE COUNTY

$1,049

BOURBON COUNTY

$1,115

BOYD COUNTY

$1,187

BOYLE COUNTY

$883

BRACKEN COUNTY

$1,891

BREATHITT COUNTY

$1,445

BRECKINRIDGE COUNTY

$1,141

BULLITT COUNTY

$952

BUTLER COUNTY

$852

CALDWELL COUNTY

$841

CALLOWAY COUNTY

$765

CAMPBELL COUNTY

$938

CARLISLE COUNTY

$604

CARROLL COUNTY

$1,250

CARTER COUNTY

$740

CASEY COUNTY

$1,928

CHRISTIAN COUNTY

$1,220

CLARK COUNTY

$2,376

CLAY COUNTY

$1,291

CLINTON COUNTY

$806

CRITTENDEN COUNTY

$720

DAVIESS COUNTY

$796

EDMONSON COUNTY

$1,779

ELLIOTT COUNTY

$2,203

ESTILL COUNTY

$1,476

FAYETTE COUNTY

$1,067

FLEMING COUNTY

$1,028

FLOYD COUNTY

$1,175

FRANKLIN COUNTY

$1,394

FULTON COUNTY

$1,411

GALLATIN COUNTY

$2,031

GARRARD COUNTY

$1,719

GRANT COUNTY

$1,509

GRAVES COUNTY

$1,056

GRAYSON COUNTY

$577

GREEN COUNTY

$1,487

GREENUP COUNTY

$1,230

HANCOCK COUNTY

$843

HARDIN COUNTY

$1,092

HARLAN COUNTY

$816

HARRISON COUNTY

$1,524

HART COUNTY

$1,160

HENDERSON COUNTY

$1,200

HENRY COUNTY

$694

HICKMAN COUNTY

$387

HOPKINS COUNTY

$1,329

JACKSON COUNTY

$1,885

JEFFERSON COUNTY

$1,226

JESSAMINE COUNTY

$1,039

JOHNSON COUNTY

$1,103

KENTON COUNTY

$1,164

KNOTT COUNTY

$1,730

KNOX COUNTY

$864

LARUE COUNTY

$1,226

LAUREL COUNTY

$1,614

LAWRENCE COUNTY

$1,021

LEE COUNTY

$1,975

LESLIE COUNTY

$2,662

LETCHER COUNTY

$1,660

LEWIS COUNTY

$768

LINCOLN COUNTY

$825

LIVINGSTON COUNTY

$910

LOGAN COUNTY

$1,305

LYON COUNTY

$1,107

MADISON COUNTY

$809

MAGOFFIN COUNTY

$1,041

MARION COUNTY

$1,002

MARSHALL COUNTY

$989

MARTIN COUNTY

$1,066

MASON COUNTY

$768

MCCRACKEN COUNTY

$1,162

MCCREARY COUNTY

$1,344

MCLEAN COUNTY

$848

MEADE COUNTY

$629

MENIFEE COUNTY

$1,738

MERCER COUNTY

$1,263

METCALFE COUNTY

$1,558

MONROE COUNTY

$834

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

$1,325

MORGAN COUNTY

$1,172

MUHLENBERG COUNTY

$1,585

NELSON COUNTY

$1,416

NICHOLAS COUNTY

$2,905

OHIO COUNTY

$662

OLDHAM COUNTY

$2,126

OWEN COUNTY

$876

OWSLEY COUNTY

$1,023

PENDLETON COUNTY

$1,576

PERRY COUNTY

$1,851

PIKE COUNTY

$1,307

POWELL COUNTY

$1,087

PULASKI COUNTY

$867

ROBERTSON COUNTY

$507

ROCKCASTLE COUNTY

$1,064

ROWAN COUNTY

$925

RUSSELL COUNTY

$658

SCOTT COUNTY

$952

SHELBY COUNTY

$913

SIMPSON COUNTY

$1,123

SPENCER COUNTY

$1,395

TAYLOR COUNTY

$1,434

TODD COUNTY

$1,049

TRIGG COUNTY

$554

TRIMBLE COUNTY

$930

UNION COUNTY

$1,100

WARREN COUNTY

$897

WASHINGTON COUNTY

$2,970

WAYNE COUNTY

$1,246

WEBSTER COUNTY

$688

WHITLEY COUNTY

$976

WOODFORD COUNTY

$2,256

Companies That Offer Flood Insurance in Kentucky

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.

Private Flood Insurance Providers in KY and Their Contact Numbers
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.

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 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

How to Purchase Flood Insurance and Its Coverage Requirements

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.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Kentucky?

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.

rain icon
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

"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

Flood insurance building coverage protects you against unanticipated expenses resulting from a variety of physical damages to your house or structure.

It also covers:

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

Obtaining an NFIP policy can provide up to $250,000 in protection.

Flood Insurance Contents Coverage

In addition to covering your home's internal systems and features, flood insurance also protects your personal items.

Included among these items are:

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

An NFIP policy can provide protection of up to $100,000.

Factors That Affect Flood Insurance Costs in Kentucky

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

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.

  • building icon

    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.

  • insurance2 icon

    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.

  • wallet icon

    Deductible

    Higher deductibles make premiums more affordable. However, submitting a claim will cost you more, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

  • garage icon

    Age of Structure

    Insurance companies analyze the age of the home's structure. Older structures mean more considerable insurance costs.

  • mortgage icon

    Structure Design

    A poorly built structure may necessitate additional coverage. Insurance companies examine your home's structure and factor it into your premiums.

Do You Need Flood Insurance in Kentucky?

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kentucky Flood Insurance

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.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick is a senior content director at MoneyGeek with over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, conducting original research and creating content that can be personalized for every buyer. He has been quoted on insurance topics in several publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Mark 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 economics and insurance knowledge to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.


sources