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


Updated: October 3, 2024

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Because flood damage isn’t usually covered by renter's or homeowner's insurance, it’s important to purchase it if you live in a high-risk area. To determine the likelihood that your home may flood, you can review a flood map.

By purchasing insurance, you’ll avoid paying high out-of-pocket repair costs if your home floods; the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that an inch of water damage can cost up to $25,000.

The cost of flood insurance varies depending on the area's flood risk, as well as specific property risks, such as your home's elevation, physical structure and rebuilding cost.

In Nebraska, flood insurance costs about $1,061 annually.

Risk Rating 2.0 has changed how flood insurance premiums are calculated, taking into account individual property factors, including your home’s elevation, age, layout and design.

Flood insurance is required for individuals who live in high-risk flood zones, while it is recommended for those who live in moderate-risk and low-risk flood zones.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance in Nebraska

In Nebraska, the average cost of flood insurance is around $1,061 per year. Rates, however, might vary significantly based on a building’s proximity to a flood zone and other specific property hazards. Those who live in flood-prone areas typically have to pay higher rates.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance by County in Nebraska

The average flood insurance cost in Nebraska is around $294 more than the national average, likely because the state has a higher amount of flood-prone areas than others.

According to MoneyGeek’s data, Clay County in Nebraska has the most expensive flood insurance rates at $5,572 per year, whereas Pawnee County has the cheapest at $110 annually. The table below displays the cost of flood insurance in Nebraska by county.

Nebraska Flood Insurance Cost Per County
ADAMS COUNTYAverage Cost$732
ANTELOPE COUNTYAverage Cost$645
BLAINE COUNTYAverage Cost$444
BOONE COUNTYAverage Cost$861
BOX BUTTE COUNTYAverage Cost$815
BOYD COUNTYAverage Cost$733
BUFFALO COUNTYAverage Cost$994
BURT COUNTYAverage Cost$659
BUTLER COUNTYAverage Cost$1,000
CASS COUNTYAverage Cost$884
CEDAR COUNTYAverage Cost$1,127
CHASE COUNTYAverage Cost$408
CHEYENNE COUNTYAverage Cost$1,035
CLAY COUNTYAverage Cost$5,572
COLFAX COUNTYAverage Cost$675
CUMING COUNTYAverage Cost$2,649
CUSTER COUNTYAverage Cost$962
DAKOTA COUNTYAverage Cost$1,218
DAWES COUNTYAverage Cost$898
DAWSON COUNTYAverage Cost$819
DEUEL COUNTYAverage Cost$505
DIXON COUNTYAverage Cost$1,000
DODGE COUNTYAverage Cost$947
DOUGLAS COUNTYAverage Cost$1,186
DUNDY COUNTYAverage Cost$429
FILLMORE COUNTYAverage Cost$606
FRANKLIN COUNTYAverage Cost$950
FURNAS COUNTYAverage Cost$940
GAGE COUNTYAverage Cost$1,084
GARDEN COUNTYAverage Cost$759
GARFIELD COUNTYAverage Cost$426
GOSPER COUNTYAverage Cost$2,036
GREELEY COUNTYAverage Cost$457
HALL COUNTYAverage Cost$1,257
HAMILTON COUNTYAverage Cost$779
HARLAN COUNTYAverage Cost$625
HAYES COUNTYAverage Cost$589
HITCHCOCK COUNTYAverage Cost$416
HOLT COUNTYAverage Cost$728
HOWARD COUNTYAverage Cost$1,084
JEFFERSON COUNTYAverage Cost$2,990
JOHNSON COUNTYAverage Cost$723
KEARNEY COUNTYAverage Cost$815
KEITH COUNTYAverage Cost$1,829
KIMBALL COUNTYAverage Cost$821
KNOX COUNTYAverage Cost$780
LANCASTER COUNTYAverage Cost$1,225
LINCOLN COUNTYAverage Cost$874
MADISON COUNTYAverage Cost$1,652
MERRICK COUNTYAverage Cost$961
MORRILL COUNTYAverage Cost$1,256
NANCE COUNTYAverage Cost$1,135
NEMAHA COUNTYAverage Cost$1,220
NUCKOLLS COUNTYAverage Cost$666
OTOE COUNTYAverage Cost$798
PAWNEE COUNTYAverage Cost$110
PERKINS COUNTYAverage Cost$401
PHELPS COUNTYAverage Cost$1,571
PIERCE COUNTYAverage Cost$1,083
PLATTE COUNTYAverage Cost$721
POLK COUNTYAverage Cost$1,243
RED WILLOW COUNTYAverage Cost$1,086
RICHARDSON COUNTYAverage Cost$1,212
ROCK COUNTYAverage Cost$359
SALINE COUNTYAverage Cost$1,335
SAN JUAN MUNICIPIOAverage Cost$794
SARPY COUNTYAverage Cost$1,032
SAUNDERS COUNTYAverage Cost$798
SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTYAverage Cost$1,621
SEWARD COUNTYAverage Cost$779
SHERIDAN COUNTYAverage Cost$1,875
SHERMAN COUNTYAverage Cost$551
STANTON COUNTYAverage Cost$924
THAYER COUNTYAverage Cost$1,617
THURSTON COUNTYAverage Cost$1,685
VALLEY COUNTYAverage Cost$490
WASHINGTON COUNTYAverage Cost$1,442
WEBSTER COUNTYAverage Cost$400
WHEELER COUNTYAverage Cost$395
YORK COUNTYAverage Cost$887

Companies That Offer Flood Insurance in Nebraska

Residents of Nebraska can buy flood insurance from the NFIP or a private provider. Private insurance providers offer either a basic policy that is comparable to the NFIP coverage or an excess policy that includes supplemental coverage to the base policy.

For homes not properly covered by NFIP insurance or those residing outside of an NFIP-covered area, a private provider is a good option.

Private Flood Insurance Providers in NE 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

Insurance companies in Nebraska that are NFIP-affiliated also offer flood insurance. MoneyGeek has compiled a list of insurance companies that are NFIP participants, along with each company's contact information, for your convenience.

NFIP-Participating Flood Insurance Providers in State and Their Contact Numbers
Company
Contact

Allstate Insurance Company

(800) 527-2634

American Family Mutual Ins. Co

(800) 692-6326

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

How to Purchase Flood Insurance and Its Coverage Requirements

Purchasing flood insurance is easy because there are no requirements to have a policy. Simply contact your home insurance agent or the NFIP hotline at 877-336-2627.

MoneyGeek advises buying your flood insurance coverage as soon as you can because the NFIP has a 30-day waiting period. Many private insurance companies also impose waiting periods of at least 10 days, so you should contact your agent to verify.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Nebraska?

Flood insurance typically covers a building’s structure and contents. Since a single inch of floodwater can cost up to $25,000 in damages, flood insurance may save you money.

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Flood insurance only covers water damage from natural phenomena, like weather-related events or natural disasters. Flooding caused by leaking appliances, damaged pipes or other unnatural sources is not covered.

Swimming pools, patios, decks, landscaping, money, documents and basement items are not covered by flood insurance. Water damage to vehicles is also not included, but comprehensive coverage will cover this.

Flood Insurance Building Coverage

When your home suffers damage from one of the insured perils, building coverage can assist in covering the cost of repairs or replacements. You can obtain insurance worth up to $250,000 through the NFIP.

Here are some of the things that flood insurance can cover:

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

Flood Insurance Contents Coverage

Contents coverage, on the other hand, is the portion of flood insurance that covers your personal belongings, including:

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

Factors That Affect Flood Insurance Costs in Nebraska

In the past, insurance companies calculated the cost of flood insurance based on location alone. The flood risk of all U.S. counties can be viewed on interactive maps provided by FEMA.

Based on data from FEMA, Otoe County has experienced the most flooding in Nebraska, with 65 incidents recorded since 1996. In comparison, Box Butte County only experienced four flooding events, during the same time period. In these counties, flood insurance has an average annual cost of $798 and $815, respectively

The cost of flood insurance is impacted by the size of the county, so a county with the highest or lowest historical record of flooding doesn’t alway have the highest or lowest insurance rates.

Risk Rating 2.0

In October 2021, FEMA unveiled Risk Rating 2.0, which takes into account building-specific factors other than location, like foundation structure, elevation, replacement and repair costs, frequency of floods and proximity to water bodies.

Thanks to this new rating system, flood insurance prices have become more fair, but your location still plays a significant role in how much your flood insurance in Nebraska is.

In the table below, MoneyGeek described a few additional pricing factors that are evaluated in the new rating system.

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    Flood Risk

    Nebraska has numerous flood-prone areas, which can raise insurance rates. You and your neighbor’s property might be in different risk areas, so the cost of your insurance may differ.

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    Coverage Type

    Your rate is influenced by the type of coverage you choose; more extensive coverage will result in a higher premium. Coverage will also differ in accordance with your county.

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    Deductible

    A higher deductible may reduce the cost of your monthly premium. Typically, deductibles range from $1,000 to $10,000. If you choose a higher deductible, you will pay more out of pocket when you submit a claim.

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    Age of Structure

    The cost of insurance is typically higher for older buildings than for newer ones. The building parts of older structures, like roofing and plumbing, are likely to be more susceptible to damage.

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    Structure Design

    The design and building components of your home are also taken into consideration while determining rates.

Do You Need Flood Insurance in Nebraska?

Standard homeowners and renters insurance does not cover flood insurance. For people living in low-risk or moderate-risk areas, buying flood insurance is a good investment since every property is susceptible to flooding. Homeowners with mortgages residing in high-risk flood zones are required to purchase flood insurance.

Separate coverage, in addition to renters or homeowners insurance, must be purchased from either the NFIP or a private insurer. Private companies will pay claims without a presidential disaster declaration and offer more compensation than federal aid. Households are only eligible for a $5,000 government disaster award, which may not be enough to cover damages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska Flood Insurance

To learn more about flood insurance, you can review MoneyGeek’s answers to some frequently asked questions regarding flood insurance in Nebraska.

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

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

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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