Because homeowners and renters insurance don’t provide coverage for floods, you may need to purchase flood insurance as an additional safety measure for your home. However, the cost of flood insurance can significantly vary depending on where you live and the risk level of your property. According to FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0, your building occupancy, first-floor height and proximity to bodies of water are some factors to consider.

Since Ohio has a high number of high-risk flood zones, you can check your local flood map to determine the risk level of your location. Those who live in a moderate- or high-risk flood zone should strongly consider buying flood insurance for greater peace of mind during natural disasters.


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Guernsey County has the most expensive flood insurance rates in Ohio at $2,256 per year on average.

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Vinton County has the cheapest average annual flood insurance rates at $614.

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The average cost of flood insurance per year in Ohio is $458 higher than the national average.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance in Ohio

How much is flood insurance in Ohio? On average, you can expect to pay around $1,225 yearly based on the state's average costs. This figure is impacted by the number of flood-prone areas in Ohio, along with risks associated with individual properties. However, you can pay more or less than the state average, depending on your location. Most of the time, people who live in moderate- or high-risk flood zones will pay higher rates.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance by County in Ohio

The state average flood insurance cost is much higher than the national average, which can be attributed to the high number of flood-prone locations in Ohio. MoneyGeek found that Guernsey County has the highest annual rate at $2,256 on average, while Vinton County has the lowest average annual rate at $614.

The table below displays the average cost of flood insurance per year based on the county where you live.

Ohio Flood Insurance Cost per County
County
Average Cost

ADAMS COUNTY

$1,026

ALLEN COUNTY

$1,544

ASHLAND COUNTY

$1,481

ASHTABULA COUNTY

$890

ATHENS COUNTY

$1,903

AUGLAIZE COUNTY

$994

BELMONT COUNTY

$1,816

BROWN COUNTY

$1,114

Companies That Offer Flood Insurance in Ohio

You can either buy your flood insurance from a private company or purchase it directly from the NFIP. If you choose to work with a private provider, they typically offer a base policy that provides basic coverage similar to what the NFIP offers. Those who need higher coverage limits may want to consider an excess policy, which provides more coverage than a base policy.

Private providers may be an ideal option for households needing more coverage than the NFIP offers or those not covered by NFIP plans.

Private Flood Insurance Providers in OH 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

  • Berkshire Hathaway

    800-673-2465

  • Swiss Re

    877-356-6348

  • Private Market Flood

    41 43 285 2121

  • 844-289-7968

If you’re looking for other options, the NFIP also works with partner companies that offer flood insurance. The table below provides the names of these companies and their contact details.

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 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

Bankers Insurance Group, DBA: First Community Insurance Company

(800) 627-0000

How to Purchase Flood Insurance and Its Coverage Requirements

To buy flood insurance for your home, you need to get in touch with the NFIP at 877-336-2627 or call your home insurance agent. You can also contact a private flood insurance provider. There are no special requirements for applying, so it’s a relatively easy process.

However, you should aim to buy flood insurance as early as possible. This is because private insurance companies in Ohio can have a 10-day waiting period, while the NFIP has a 30-day waiting period before insurance becomes effective.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Ohio?

Flood insurance can help cover the cost of physical damage to your home's structure and its contents. Even an inch of floodwater in your home can cause up to $25,000 worth of damages.

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Flood insurance only applies to natural water damage related to the weather. Your flood insurance policy does not cover leaking pipes and appliances that cause water damage.

Unfortunately, flood insurance coverage doesn’t extend to items in your basement, any vehicles you drive, your swimming pool or your patio. If you’re looking for vehicle flooding coverage, consider investing in comprehensive car insurance.

Flood Insurance Building Coverage

As part of your flood insurance policy, building coverage can pay for any damage to the home’s structure. You can acquire up to $250,000 worth of building coverage from the NFIP.

Building coverage can help cover the costs of repair or replacement for:

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

Flood Insurance Contents Coverage

If your personal belongings are damaged by a flood, contents coverage can provide you with protection. You can obtain up to $100,000 worth of contents coverage from the NFIP.

Some things that contents coverage can cover include:

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

Factors That Affect Flood Insurance Costs in Ohio

Prior to October 2021, the sole factor that impacted the cost of your flood insurance policy was where you lived based on the flood zone map. If you’re interested, you can check out the historical flood risk of your state online with FEMA.

The county in Ohio with the highest historical flood risk is Hamilton County, with 140 flood events since 1996 and an average flood insurance premium of $1,888. However, Guernsey County charges the highest annual flood insurance rates at an average of $2,256. This may be because floods are more concentrated in Guernsey County.

The county with the lowest historical flood risk is Williams County, with seven flood events since 1996 and an average flood insurance rate of $897. However, Vinton County has the lowest average premiums at $614 per year.

Risk Rating 2.0

To charge more accurate premiums, FEMA introduced the Risk Rating 2.0 system in October 2021. It considers individual property risks, including your foundation type, elevation, dwelling structure, proximity to bodies of water, frequency of floods and location.

This table further elaborates on the various factors that can impact the cost of your flood insurance premium.

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    Flood Risk

    Due to Risk Rating 2.0, your flood risk is now based on several factors and is unique to your property. Your rates could differ from your neighbor’s. However, those living in a low-risk flood zone will still pay lower premiums than those in moderate- or high-risk flood zones.

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    Coverage Type

    Your rates can also depend on the coverage you need, such as basic or more comprehensive options. Premiums can also vary depending on your county of residence.

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    Deductible

    Deductibles typically range between $1,000 and $10,000. Although a higher deductible corresponds to a lower premium, you must pay this chosen figure when filing a flood-related claim.

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    Age of Structure

    If you live on an older property, you may need to pay more for flood insurance than those who live in a building that was recently built.

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    Structure Design

    The cost of flood insurance can also depend on the materials your home is made from and its overall design and structure.

Do You Need Flood Insurance in Ohio?

Flood insurance can be a good investment even if you live in a low- or moderate-risk flood zone. This is because floods can happen no matter where you live. However, those who live in a high-risk flood zone are typically required to purchase insurance for government-backed mortgages.

Flood insurance is also beneficial since you can file a claim even when a presidential disaster declaration isn’t in effect. Unlike federal disaster assistance, which is a maximum of $5,000 per household, flood insurance can provide much higher coverage and greater peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Flood Insurance

If you’re still on the fence about purchasing flood insurance in Ohio, here are the answers to some common questions that buyers tend to ask.

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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