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Amy specializes in insurance and technology writing and has a talent for transforming complex topics into easy-to-understand stories.
Sara Getman Associate EditorSara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga and crocheting.
Updated July 2, 2024
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One in six Texans lives or works in flood-prone areas. [1] And Texas has had nine flooding events that led to more than $1 billion in damage since 1980. [2] But standard homeowners insurance won’t cover flood damage. In some situations, mortgage companies can require you to purchase flood insurance, but only 14% of Texas homeowners have flood insurance. [3]
Flooding in Texas is becoming an expensive and disastrous problem, so purchasing flood insurance is a wise investment. Here’s what you should know about how flood insurance works, what it might cost, whether you really need it, and how to get it.
Quick FactsThe average Texas flood insurance rate is $779 per year, which is slightly less than the national annual average of $888. Your cost depends on the location of your home, the building and structure, and whether you live near a coast, river, or lake.
Central Texas, nicknamed “Flash Flood Alley,” is at a high risk of flooding. It’s why counties in the central part of the state, such as Martin, Baylor, and Crockett, have the highest flood insurance coverage costs. The Panhandle area, including Crosby, Carson, Wheeler, and Moore counties, offers some of the cheapest premiums.
The table below shows the annual flood insurance cost for counties in Texas.
County Annual Flood Insurance Cost Data sourced from FEMA.See personalized quotes from top home insurers in minutes
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Based on 3,806+ reviewsWhile not always required, you may find flood insurance necessary. Flood insurance in Texas isn’t just a good idea — it’s essential for many property owners in the Lone Star State. If you live in a Special Flood Hazard Area, the federal government can require you to buy flood insurance.
Most of Texas’ major cities are prone to hurricane flooding or are in Flash Flood Alley, and more than 5 million Texans live or work in flood-risk areas throughout the state.
But more than 40% of flood insurance claims come from outside high-risk flood zones. If a flood damages your home and you don’t have flood coverage, you’re responsible for the total cost of repairs and replacements. An inch of water can cause up to $25,000 in damage, according to the Texas Department of Insurance. The department reports that the average flood claim comes in at $115,000. [6]
FEMA uses Flood Insurance Rate Maps to categorize areas by risk level. A and V zones are riskier, with a 1 in 4 chance of flooding over the course of 30 years. Zones B, C, and X have a moderate-to-low risk. Despite the lower threat, these areas account for more than 20% of flood claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
The FEMA Flood Map Service Center can aid you in determining whether you’re at risk of flooding. The Texas Water Development Board provides water levels and flood information in your area. Your local community may have a flood warning system, too.
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