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

Homeowners and renters insurance policies do not always include flood insurance. But it offers a level of protection that will greatly benefit those who live in flood-prone areas and wish to protect themselves from flood damage repair costs. That is especially true for those who live near creeks.

Even for Utah residents not living in a high flood-risk area, it helps to be prepared as more Americans remain at risk for flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that an inch of water can cost up to $25,000 in damage.

Flood insurance rates are based on property address, building characteristics and replacement cost and coverage.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

Utah flood insurance is around $731 annually, with an average coverage amount of $279,460. It is lower than the national average of $767 a year. That may be driven by Utah not having many flood-prone areas, making insurers see this area as low-risk.

Flood insurance in Utah costs an average of $731 per year, less than the national average, but the cost varies by county. The most expensive county for flood insurance is Carbon County at roughly $2,512 a year, and the cheapest flood insurance in Utah is in Juab County at around $367 a year.

In the table below, you can view the average cost of flood insurance in every Utah county.

The NFIP and private insurance companies offer flood insurance to renters and homeowners to help with disaster recovery. Flood insurance protects your building structure and belongings from damage caused by outside flooding.

Private companies offer a base policy similar to the NFIP, but they may also provide supplemental coverage in the form of an excess policy to cover a building’s value if it exceeds the policy limit of $250,000 set by the NFIP.

If you live outside an NFIP community or need more than $250,000 in coverage, a private flood insurance company is your best choice.

Flood insurance is also provided by NFIP partner insurance companies. The government initiative enables owners and renters to protect themselves from flood losses while working with providers within the agency’s network. See the table below for a list of insurance companies that participate in the NFIP.

There are no special requirements to get flood insurance in Utah. You can start by calling the NFIP hotline at 877-336-2627 or a private insurance company or contacting an insurance agent you already trust. It is ideal to get your policy as soon as possible because the NFIP has a 30-day waiting period, and private insurance companies in Utah may impose a 10-day waiting period. The company agent you speak with can confirm your policy’s effective date.

An inch of water can cause damages of up to $25,000. Having flood insurance can shield property owners from the expensive cost of repairing or replacing building structures and replacing their lost personal belongings.

Flood insurance predominantly protects infrastructure and belongings. It may not cover damages to pools, decks, landscaping, basement items and vehicles. However, buyers who are looking to cover their cars in flood should look into comprehensive insurance.

Since this aspect of any property is critical to making sure it is safe to live in, a fair coverage amount is needed. With the NFIP, people can purchase a flood policy with coverage of up to $250,000.

Flood insurance covers the following building structures:

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

Property owners need their personal belongings for daily activities such as work and hygiene. Recovering these items is essential to recuperating from any peril. An NFIP flood insurance policy can cover up to $100,000 worth of property contents.

Flood insurance can cover the following items:

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

Prior to October 2021, the only factor influencing insurance costs was the property's general location. You can refer to the FEMA website tool to identify the historical flood risk of Utah and find in-depth information. Wasatch County has seen the least flood events in Utah, only two, and the average insurance cost is $617 per year. The county with the most flood events in Utah is Washington, with 144, where it costs around $762 per year for flood insurance.

Washington County may have a history of the most flooding in Utah, but it is not the most expensive county for flood insurance. That could be because of its size, where flood events are spread out over a large area.

In October 2021, FEMA implemented a new flood insurance pricing methodology called Risk Rating 2.0. Rather than relying solely on flood maps, it determines flood risk by a variety of factors and data sources. Multiple flood types and frequencies, distance to a water source and property characteristics, such as elevation, construction and foundation type and home value, are among these factors.

But location may still play a huge part in flood insurance costs in Utah, and your location can heavily influence your premium. Find the notable factors driving flood insurance costs in Utah below.

Any property is vulnerable to flooding, making flood insurance a worthy investment in Utah, and the provided peace of mind is worth every penny.

Although Utah is not at high risk for floods, anyone in a high-risk zone with a government or lender mortgage must have flood insurance. But for others, flood insurance can still offer a layer of protection from big expenses since homeowners and renters insurance often does not cover flooding. It also offers better financial assistance compared to federal disaster assistance and pays out even without a disaster declaration.

From the average cost of flood insurance in Utah to the factors that affect it, this FAQ covers what you need to know.