How Much Is Flood Insurance in Washington, D.C.? Average Flood Insurance Cost and Coverage


Updated: October 3, 2024

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Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damages. You will need to get a separate flood insurance policy to protect your home from this particular natural peril.

Insurers look at your property’s FEMA risk rating, which determines whether you are located in a high-, moderate- or low-risk flood zone. In addition to your location, insurance companies also look at other characteristics, like foundation type, construction type and flood frequency. Identifying your property as having a high risk of flooding will likely result in higher premiums.

According to FEMA, an inch of water entering your property can easily cost up to $25,000 in damages. Hence, even if your property is not deemed susceptible to flooding, it is still wise to purchase flood insurance.

Flood insurance covers the building’s structure and contents. Other damages like vehicle flooding, leakage from a broken pipe and swimming pools are not included in this coverage.

If you need less than $250,000 in building coverage, an insurance policy from the NFIP may be sufficient. Higher coverage needs mean you will have to get an excess policy from a private insurer.

In most jurisdictions, flood insurance costs vary based on your location within the state. However, in Washington, D.C., rates are generally consistent across the District.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance in Washington, D.C.

The cost of flood insurance in Washington, D.C., averages around $869 per year. Your location and individual property risks both affect how flood insurance costs are calculated. Properties in flood-prone areas typically have more expensive premiums than those that are not.

Companies That Offer Flood Insurance in Washington, D.C.

Residents in Washington, D.C., may choose to get their flood insurance from the NFIP, their home insurance provider or a separate private insurance company.

An NFIP base policy may be sufficient if you need coverage within its limit of $250,000. However, households outside an NFIP community or those who find this amount insufficient should get an excess policy from a private company.

Private Flood Insurance Providers in DC and Their Contact Numbers
Company
Contact

Swiss Re

41 43 285 2121

Flood insurance can be purchased from NFIP-participating insurance providers. The table below shows all the NFIP-participating insurance providers in Washington, D.C.

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

Allstate Insurance Company

(800) 527-2634

American Strategic Ins. Corp.

(866) 274-8765

Assurant

(800) 423-4403

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

How to Purchase Flood Insurance and Its Coverage Requirements

Flood insurance can easily be purchased by calling the NFIP hotline (877-336-2626), calling your home insurance agent or researching a separate flood insurance provider.

Due to the waiting period, MoneyGeek recommends getting flood insurance earlier than you expect to need it. The NFIP has a 30-day waiting period, while private insurance companies often require a 10-day waiting period.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Washington, D.C.?

Flood damage can easily cost around $25,000, even if you only get an inch of water in your home. Protect your home by insuring the building’s structure and its contents through flood insurance.

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Any type of water damage as a result of a natural phenomenon or weather event is generally covered by flood insurance. However, flooding from broken pipes, leaking appliances and other unnatural water damage is not considered a covered peril.

A standard flood insurance policy does not cover swimming pools, decks, patios, landscaping, cash, paperwork, basement items or vehicle flooding. If you want coverage for your car, look into comprehensive auto insurance.

Flood Insurance Building Coverage

Building coverage in a flood insurance policy protects the physical structure of your home against covered perils. You can purchase up to $250,000 in building coverage from the NFIP. Building coverage protects several elements of your home, including:

  • 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 you purchase flood insurance from the NFIP, you can secure your personal belongings with up to $100,000 in contents coverage. The following are covered by the contents coverage component in your flood insurance policy:

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

Factors That Affect Flood Insurance Costs in Washington, D.C.

Until October 2021, flood insurance costs were calculated based solely on your general location, relying on a broader flood map. However, FEMA introduced Risk Rating 2.0, which also looks at individual property risks when calculating premiums for flood insurance.

Risk Rating 2.0

Risk Rating 2.0 is a newer rating system that takes individual factors into consideration. While it still relies on the flood map to determine whether your property is at a high risk of flooding, it also evaluates other factors, like foundation type, age of the property, dwelling structure, replacement and repair costs, elevation and proximity to bodies of water.

The following factors significantly affect the cost of flood insurance in Washington, D.C.

    building icon

    Flood Risk

    Generally, properties in flood zone areas require higher premiums. FEMA determines flood risk by looking at location and individual risk factors. This means that the cost of insurance varies significantly, even for people living in the same neighborhood.

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    Coverage Type

    Your chosen amount of coverage will also affect how much flood insurance in the District of Columbia will cost.

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    Deductible

    You can choose a deductible amount between $1,000 and $10,000. A higher deductible means lower monthly premiums but also higher out-of-pocket expenses when you file claims.

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    Age of Structure

    Older homes are more prone to structural damage. Newer homes in the same neighborhood are more likely to get cheaper flood insurance than older homes.

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    Structure Design

    Several elements of your home’s structure and design also come into play when determining flood insurance rates. Sturdier structures will cost less to insure.

Do You Need Flood Insurance in Washington, D.C.?

Over 10% of all properties in the District of Columbia are expected to experience severe flood damage in the next 30 years.

Regardless if you are in a low-, moderate- or high-risk flood zone, MoneyGeek recommends getting insured for an extra layer of protection.

Homeowners and renters insurance don’t cover flood damage. Although you can get a grant of up to $5,000 per household from the federal government if there’s a disaster declaration, the cost of flood damage is usually more than that. Furthermore, private flood insurance must pay out, even if there’s no presidential disaster declaration.

Frequently Asked Questions About Washington, D.C. Flood Insurance

To help residents in Washington, D.C., understand more about flood insurance, MoneyGeek answered the following frequently asked questions.

What is the average cost of flood insurance in Washington, D.C.?
Which companies offer flood insurance in Washington, D.C.?
What kind of damage does flood insurance cover?
What affects flood insurance rates in Washington, D.C.?

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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