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

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.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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

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.

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.

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.

MoneyGeek answered the most commonly asked questions about Louisiana flood insurance so you can get a headstart.