Flood insurance rates in Virginia depend on the county of residence and property-related risks. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), specific determinants of your premium include building characteristics, such as elevation, foundation type, unit location, and replacement and repair costs.

Virginia has several high-risk flood zones spread across several counties. A local flood map can help determine whether your household is in a moderate or high-risk zone. Purchasing flood insurance can help you avoid the high costs of flood damage. FEMA’s data shows that you may incur up to $25,000 due to damage caused by only an inch of flood water.

Remember, renters and homeowners insurance policies usually do not cover flooding from natural weather events.


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Flood insurance costs in Virginia vary based on location, building characteristics and replacement and repair costs.

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Flood insurance covers structural damage as well as personal belongings like furniture, clothing and electronic equipment.

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Private insurers offer excess policies in addition to base policies to provide more coverage than the NFIP.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance in Virginia

The average flood insurance policy cost in Virginia is $792 per year. However, rates vary greatly based on individual property risks and whether you live in a flood-prone county. Premiums are typically higher for those who live in moderate or high-risk flood zones.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance by County in Virginia

On average, a Virginia flood insurance policy costs $23 more than the national rate, meaning there may be a higher-than-average number of flood-prone areas in the state.

MoneyGeek discovered that the cheapest county in Virginia for flood insurance is Nottoway at roughly $386 per year. Meanwhile, Martinsville is the most expensive, with an average annual premium of $9,023. The following table outlines average flood insurance rates in the counties in Virginia.

Virginia Flood Insurance Cost per County
County
Average Cost

ACCOMACK COUNTY

$755

ALBEMARLE COUNTY

$699

ALEXANDRIA CITY

$906

ALLEGHANY COUNTY

$1,062

AMELIA COUNTY

$766

AMHERST COUNTY

$1,203

APPOMATTOX COUNTY

$1,209

ARLINGTON COUNTY

$613

Companies That Offer Flood Insurance in Virginia

Virginia residents interested in flood insurance can get a policy from the NFIP or a private company. Private companies sell base flood insurance policies similar to NFIP and excess policies that offer more coverage than base policies. MoneyGeek recommends getting coverage from a private provider if you live outside an NFIP community or an NFIP policy does not meet your household needs.

Private Flood Insurance Providers in VA 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

    (800) 241-8310

  • Berkshire Hathaway

    800-673-2465

  • Private Market Flood

    877-356-6348

The NFIP also provides flood insurance policies through partner companies across Virginia. The table below lists the NFIP-participating companies in Virginia.

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

Allstate Insurance Company

(800) 527-2634

American Nat. Prop. & Casualty

(417) 887-4990

Assurant

(800) 423-4403

Auto Owners Insurance Co.

Refer to the Agent locator

Bankers Insurance Group, DBA: First Community Insurance Company

(800) 627-0000

Everett Cash Mutual Ins. Co.

(800) 326-4968

Farm Family Casualty

(518) 431-5000

Farmers Insurance Group

(866) 865-2965

How to Purchase Flood Insurance and Its Coverage Requirements

Getting flood insurance in Virginia is not difficult since there are no requirements; all you need to do is to contact NFIP at 877-336-2627, your home insurance agent or a private insurance provider.

You should purchase flood insurance as early as possible since NFIP has a waiting period of 30 days. Private insurance providers in Virginia often have a 10-day waiting period, but the duration may differ with some companies.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Virginia?

Flood insurance typically covers your building structure and anything in it. Floods can cause significant damage to your home; even an inch of water can cause damage worth up to $25,000.

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Flood insurance protects you against water damage resulting from natural or weather-related occurrences but excludes damage from events like leaking appliances and broken pipes.

While flood insurance covers the building structure and its contents, certain sections of your home are excluded. These are patios, swimming pools, landscaping, basement items, decks, vehicles, cash and paperwork. To protect your vehicle, get comprehensive coverage in your auto policy.

Flood Insurance Building Coverage

A standard flood insurance policy in Virginia offers coverage to your building. The specific sections of your home’s physical structure it includes are:

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

NFIP allows a policy with up to $250,000 in flood building coverage.

Flood Insurance Contents Coverage

Aside from covering damages to the building structure, flood insurance also offers coverage for personal belongings, such as:

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

NFIP policies usually feature up to $100,000 as the coverage limit for personal belongings.

Factors That Affect Flood Insurance Costs in Virginia

Until October 2021, insurance providers determined flood insurance costs based on the buyer’s location, with counties considered as flood zones featuring higher premiums. You can use FEMA’s interactive map to check the historical flood risk across Virginia.

Based on the data, Fairfax County has had the highest number of flooding incidents, at 138, while Salem and Charles City each have had two flooding events, the lowest in the state. On average, the cost of flood insurance in Fairfax is $641 annually, while in Charles City, it costs around $515 per year. Salem has a higher average annual premium of $2,993.

Risk Rating 2.0

In October 2021, FEMA introduced Risk Rating 2.0, a rating system to help keep flood insurance premiums at a minimum. In addition to the buyer’s location, the system also considers property risks like the dwelling structure, foundation type, likelihood of flooding, proximity to water bodies, elevation and repair or replacement costs when determining individual flood insurance rates.

Nevertheless, your location is still the primary determinant of flood insurance costs in Virginia. MoneyGeek compares some notable influences of flood insurance in the state below.

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    Flood Risk

    According to Risk Rating 2.0, different properties feature different flood risk levels, meaning your rate may differ significantly from your neighbor's. If you live in a high-risk flood insurance area, you will pay a higher premium than in a low-risk flood zone.

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    Coverage Type

    Your flood insurance cost varies based on your coverage, with comprehensive policies costing more than limited coverage. What you can cover also varies based on where you live in Virginia.

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    Deductible

    Flood insurance policies with a high deductible often cost less, and you may select between $1,000 and $10,000. However, you will need to pay that amount out-of-pocket after filing a claim.

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    Age of Structure

    Flood insurance companies charge different premiums depending on the age of your property. Typically, you will pay a higher rate for an older structure.

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    Structure Design

    You will pay a higher or lower premium for flood insurance based on the design and type of materials used to build your property.

Do You Need Flood Insurance in Virginia?

Because flood insurance is often excluded from a renters or homeowners policy, MoneyGeek recommends getting separate coverage for your property, which may be vulnerable to flooding. Lenders and government-backed mortgages require individuals who live in high-risk flood areas to have flood insurance. Additionally, FEMA recommends having flood insurance protection for those in low or moderate-risk areas.

Having a flood insurance policy comes with great peace of mind. Moreover, insurers are still obliged to pay your claim even if there is no presidential disaster declaration. Federal disaster assistance loans or grants have a limit of $5,000, but your flood insurance policy has a higher limit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Flood Insurance

How much is flood insurance in Virginia? MoneyGeek responded to the frequently asked questions to help you estimate your rate.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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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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