Please note that flood insurance is not usually included in homeowners or renters insurance. Luckily, you can avoid this financial risk by getting a flood insurance policy.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the cost of flood insurance typically depends on specific factors, like the construction type, where the building is located and its elevation.
Every property is vulnerable to flooding. Hence, MoneyGeek strongly urges homeowners to consider purchasing flood insurance. FEMA determined that an inch of water can cost you $25,000 in damages. Flood insurance offers protection against significant expenses in the event your home gets flooded.
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The parish in which you live heavily impacts your flood insurance premiums.
Flood insurance in Louisiana costs $750 per year, on average.
The NFIP has several private insurance partners that offer flood insurance in Louisiana.
Average Cost of Flood Insurance in Louisiana
In Louisiana, the average cost of flood insurance is $750 per year. This rate depends on your parish’s flood risk and individual property risk. For instance, individuals who live in areas with moderate-risk or high-risk flood zones tend to pay pricier premiums.
Average Cost of Flood Insurance by Parish in Louisiana
Louisiana’s average flood insurance premiums are $17 cheaper than the national average. This may be because Louisiana’s flood-prone areas are clustered in one small part of the state.
Another factor that impacts your flood insurance rates is your parish’s flood risk. MoneyGeek’s research found that Red River Parish has the most expensive premiums, costing roughly $1,439 per year. Meanwhile, the parish with the cheapest flood insurance is St. Thomas, with rates at $302 per year.
Below is a table that reflects the average cost of flood insurance in each Louisiana parish.
Louisiana Flood Insurance Cost per Parish
Companies That Offer Flood Insurance in Louisiana
You can purchase your flood insurance either from the NFIP or a private insurance provider. Private carriers usually have two kinds of policies: a base policy which is similar to an NFIP policy, and an excess policy for extra coverage.
It may be ideal to purchase a policy from a private company if your household is not in an NFIP community or if NFIP coverage isn’t sufficient for your needs.
Private Flood Insurance Providers in LA
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 |
Zurich Insurance Group | 800-382-2150 |
Berkshire Hathaway | 800-673-2465 |
Private Market Flood | 877-356-6348 |
If you’re unsure about where to start, the NFIP is partnered with insurance companies in Louisiana. Browse the table below for the state’s NFIP-participating providers.
NFIP-Participating Flood Insurance Providers and Their Contact Numbers
Company | Contact |
---|---|
Allied Trust | (844) 200-2842 |
Allstate Insurance Company | (800) 527-2634 |
American Nat. Prop. & Casualty | (417) 887-4990 |
American Strategic Ins. Corp. | (866) 274-8765 |
Assurant | (800) 423-4403 |
Bankers Insurance Group, DBA: First Community Insurance Company | (800) 627-0000 |
Centauri Specialty Ins. Company | (866) 318-4113 |
Farmers Insurance Group | (866) 865-2965 |
FedNat Insurance Company | (800) 293-2532 |
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 |
SafePoint Insurance Company | (877) 858-7445 |
Selective Ins. Co. Of America | (877) 348-0552 |
Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company | (800) 647-8052 |
Southern Fidelity Ins. Company | (866)-471-8855 |
United Property & Cas. Ins. Co | (727) 895-7737 |
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
Because flood insurance has no special requirements, it’s relatively easy to purchase a policy. You can either reach out to your home insurance agent or call the NFIP hotline at 877-336-2627.
It takes 30 days for an NFIP policy to kick in, so it’s wise to purchase flood insurance as soon as possible. On the other hand, private insurance providers in Louisiana have a 10-day waiting period. However, it’s best to call your carrier to confirm.
What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Louisiana?
Flood insurance protects against the cost of repairing or replacing a building’s structures and contents. Unfortunately, just an inch of flood water in your home can cost $25,000 in damages.
Flood insurance only covers water damage caused by a natural weather event. It does not protect against flooding damage from broken pipes or leaking appliances.
A flood insurance policy only protects the structure and your personal belongings. Thus, it excludes coverage for paperwork, swimming pools, decks, patios, landscaping, cash and basement items. If you need flood insurance for your vehicle, consider comprehensive insurance.
Flood Insurance Building Coverage
Building coverage helps cover the expenses needed to repair or replace your home’s structure. You can usually get $250,000 worth of coverage through an NFIP policy.
Generally, the building coverage portion of flood insurance covers the following:
- Foundation walls
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing systems
- Furnaces, central heating and air conditioning
- Built-in appliances
- Permanent carpets
- Built-in furniture
It may help to read the fine print or directly ask your provider so you know exactly what is covered.
Flood Insurance Contents Coverage
Flood insurance also includes contents coverage. This covers expenses for the replacement or repair of your personal items. With the NFIP, it’s possible to purchase up to $100,000 in contents coverage.
Flood insurance contents coverage typically covers personal belongings such as:
- Clothing
- Furniture
- Electronic equipment
- Washers and dryers
- Artwork
Factors That Affect Flood Insurance Costs in Louisiana
Flood insurance rates were previously computed based on a home’s general location on a flood map. On the FEMA website, you can find an online tool that determines the historical flood risk of your state.
Among parishes for which MoneyGeek has complete data, Plaquemines Parish had 11 flooding events, which is the fewest in Louisiana, and its average flood insurance premiums cost an average of $793 per year. Conversely, Caddo Parish had 113 flooding events, and flood insurance rates cost roughly $801 per year.
While Caddo Parish has the most flood events, its premiums are barely higher than the state average in Louisiana. Because Caddo is a large parish, it’s likely that flood events are spread across a wider area, suppressing parish-wide flood insurance premiums.
Risk Rating 2.0
FEMA introduced Risk Rating 2.0 in October 2021. Instead of solely focusing on flood zone proximities, the new rating system accounts for individual factors, such as foundation type, frequency of flooding, elevation and replacement costs.
Your location still significantly influences your flood insurance rates, but not to the degree it used to. Below, you’ll find a list that dives into the various factors that impact the average cost of flood insurance in Louisiana.
Flood Risk
With FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0, your flood risk is heavily based on individual factors. Hence, your neighbor’s flood risk and premiums may be different from yours. Premiums can also be more expensive if your area is a high-risk flood zone.
Coverage Type
Your desired coverage type influences your flood insurance rate. Naturally, more coverage entails more expensive premiums. Please note that the availability of coverage options depends on your state and parish.
Deductible
If you opt for a higher deductible, you can get a lower monthly rate. Deductibles generally range between $1,000 and $10,000.
When you file a claim and have a higher deductible, you’re paying more for out-of-pocket costs.
Age of Structure
When computing your flood insurance rate, insurers also account for the age of your home. Usually, premiums are more expensive for individuals with older homes as opposed to those with newer ones.
Structure Design
The construction material used for your home may affect the cost of your flood insurance. Additionally, your home’s design is an important factor when providers calculate rates.
Do You Need Flood Insurance in Louisiana?
Individuals who live in a moderate- or high-risk flood zone are required to buy flood insurance if they choose a government-backed mortgage or lender. Regardless of how flood-prone your area might be, FEMA highly encourages homeowners to purchase flood insurance since it offers additional protection.
Keep in mind that homeowners and renters insurance doesn’t typically include protection from flood damage, which is why you need to buy a separate policy from the NFIP or a private company. Even if there isn’t a presidential disaster declaration, flood insurance providers must still pay policyholders more than the federal assistance grant (a maximum of $5,000 per household).
Overall, flood insurance is a worthwhile investment — aside from financial protection, it can offer peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana Flood Insurance
MoneyGeek answered the most commonly asked questions about Louisiana flood insurance so you can get a headstart.
About Mark Fitzpatrick

sources
- FEMA. "Flood Insurance." Accessed August 18, 2022.
- FEMA. "Historical Flood Risk and Costs." Accessed August 23, 2022.
- FEMA. "Rate Explanation Guide." Accessed August 18, 2022.