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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.


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

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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.

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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
County
Average Cost

ADAMS COUNTY

$732

ANTELOPE COUNTY

$645

BLAINE COUNTY

$444

BOONE COUNTY

$861

BOX BUTTE COUNTY

$815

BOYD COUNTY

$733

BUFFALO COUNTY

$994

BURT COUNTY

$659

BUTLER COUNTY

$1,000

CASS COUNTY

$884

CEDAR COUNTY

$1,127

CHASE COUNTY

$408

CHEYENNE COUNTY

$1,035

CLAY COUNTY

$5,572

COLFAX COUNTY

$675

CUMING COUNTY

$2,649

CUSTER COUNTY

$962

DAKOTA COUNTY

$1,218

DAWES COUNTY

$898

DAWSON COUNTY

$819

DEUEL COUNTY

$505

DIXON COUNTY

$1,000

DODGE COUNTY

$947

DOUGLAS COUNTY

$1,186

DUNDY COUNTY

$429

FILLMORE COUNTY

$606

FRANKLIN COUNTY

$950

FURNAS COUNTY

$940

GAGE COUNTY

$1,084

GARDEN COUNTY

$759

GARFIELD COUNTY

$426

GOSPER COUNTY

$2,036

GREELEY COUNTY

$457

HALL COUNTY

$1,257

HAMILTON COUNTY

$779

HARLAN COUNTY

$625

HAYES COUNTY

$589

HITCHCOCK COUNTY

$416

HOLT COUNTY

$728

HOWARD COUNTY

$1,084

JEFFERSON COUNTY

$2,990

JOHNSON COUNTY

$723

KEARNEY COUNTY

$815

KEITH COUNTY

$1,829

KIMBALL COUNTY

$821

KNOX COUNTY

$780

LANCASTER COUNTY

$1,225

LINCOLN COUNTY

$874

MADISON COUNTY

$1,652

MERRICK COUNTY

$961

MORRILL COUNTY

$1,256

NANCE COUNTY

$1,135

NEMAHA COUNTY

$1,220

NUCKOLLS COUNTY

$666

OTOE COUNTY

$798

PAWNEE COUNTY

$110

PERKINS COUNTY

$401

PHELPS COUNTY

$1,571

PIERCE COUNTY

$1,083

PLATTE COUNTY

$721

POLK COUNTY

$1,243

RED WILLOW COUNTY

$1,086

RICHARDSON COUNTY

$1,212

ROCK COUNTY

$359

SALINE COUNTY

$1,335

SAN JUAN MUNICIPIO

$794

SARPY COUNTY

$1,032

SAUNDERS COUNTY

$798

SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY

$1,621

SEWARD COUNTY

$779

SHERIDAN COUNTY

$1,875

SHERMAN COUNTY

$551

STANTON COUNTY

$924

THAYER COUNTY

$1,617

THURSTON COUNTY

$1,685

VALLEY COUNTY

$490

WASHINGTON COUNTY

$1,442

WEBSTER COUNTY

$400

WHEELER COUNTY

$395

YORK COUNTY

$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

Zurich Insurance Group

800-382-2150

Swiss Re

816-235-3700

Berkshire Hathaway

800-673-2465

Private Market Flood

877-356-6348

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

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

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

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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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

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.

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.


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