Cost of Flood Insurance in Texas and How Coverage Works
Flood insurance in Texas costs an average of $791 per year for a policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
You may be able to find lower rates by comparing quotes from private flood insurance companies.
Texas doesn't require homeowners to have flood insurance. But your mortgage lender may require you to buy a policy if your property is in a high-risk flood zone.
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Cost of flood insurance in Texas
The average cost of flood insurance in Texas is $791 per year for a policy with around $274,000 of total coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Flood insurance quotes in Texas can range from $235 per year to more than $5,000 per year, based on where you live, how your home was built and the property's elevation.
Average cost of flood insurance in Texas by city
City | Average coverage amount | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | $300,205 | $821 |
| San Antonio | $281,316 | $847 |
| Dallas | $248,021 | $622 |
| Austin | $243,667 | $601 |
| Fort Worth | $302,336 | $751 |
Cities are ordered by population size.
Two of the biggest factors in determining your flood insurance costs are your home's location on a flood map and elevation. Insurance companies also consider factors like whether the home is your primary residence or a vacation property.
Do you need flood insurance in Texas?
The state of Texas doesn't require you to have flood insurance.
If you have a loan on your home, your mortgage company may require you to buy flood insurance if you live in an area that's at high risk for flooding, called a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). These areas have a 25% chance of flooding within a 30-year period.
It's important to remember that 4 out of 10 federal flood insurance claims are for homes in low-to-moderate-risk areas. Even if you're not required to have flood insurance, you may want to buy coverage.
Flood damage isn't covered by homeowners or renters insurance policies. If you don't have a separate flood insurance policy, you'll have to pay to repair any damage to your home or property caused by floodwater.
Texas has some of the highest fatality rates and property damage costs caused by flooding. That's because flash floods, heavy rains, tropical storms and hurricanes are common in many parts of the state.
How to get flood insurance in Texas
You can buy NFIP flood insurance from most insurance companies and agents in Texas.
The NFIP is a federal program, so you'll get the same rate no matter what company you choose. You should consider buying flood insurance and homeowners insurance from the same company if possible. Talking to just one company if your home is damaged in a major storm will make your life a lot easier.
Largest flood insurance companies in Texas
AIG |
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Allianz |
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Allied Trust Insurance Co. |
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American Risk Insurance Co. |
Listed companies sell private and/or NFIP flood insurance. *USAA flood insurance is only available to military members, veterans and their families.
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You should also compare quotes from private flood insurance companies to make sure you're getting the cheapest rates.
Private flood insurance policies typically have similar or lower rates than you'll get from the NFIP. You will usually have more options to personalize your policy, too.
Many companies sell both private and National Flood Insurance Program insurance, including:
You may benefit from working with a local insurance agent to choose the best private flood insurance policy for you. Agents can help you compare coverage details and rates to help you find the right plan for your needs.
Texas flood insurance coverage
Flood insurance from the NFIP has maximum coverage limits of $250,000 for your house's structure and $100,000 for its contents. You can usually get a policy with higher limits through a private flood insurance company.
If you're a renter in Texas, then your landlord will pay for damage to the building. You can buy up to $100,000 of personal property coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program.
Covered items
Exclusions
- Standard home systems: This includes your electrical system, furnace, water heater, plumbing and air conditioner.
- Carpeting and installed features: This includes built-in cabinets, bookcases and paneling.
- Appliances and personal property: Appliances, like your refrigerator and washing machine, are generally covered unless they're kept in your basement. The same applies to personal items including clothing, electronics and furniture.
- Foundation and support structures: Staircases are covered, as long as they're built into your house.
- Detached garage: You can apply up to 10% of your policy's dwelling coverage to a detached garage.
Covered items
- Standard home systems: This includes your electrical system, furnace, water heater, plumbing and air conditioner.
- Carpeting and installed features: This includes built-in cabinets, bookcases and paneling.
- Appliances and personal property: Appliances, like your refrigerator and washing machine, are generally covered unless they're kept in your basement. The same applies to personal items including clothing, electronics and furniture.
- Foundation and support structures: Staircases are covered, as long as they're built into your house.
- Detached garage: You can apply up to 10% of your policy's dwelling coverage to a detached garage.
Exclusions
- Damage caused by earth movements like a sinkhole or landslide, even if a flood caused the earth movement. You would typically need earthquake insurance for coverage.
- Damage to your basement or property kept there.
- Damage caused by a sewer backup. Your homeowners insurance may cover damage caused by sewage backup, but typically you'll have to buy extra coverage, called a water backup endorsement.
- Damage to your car. Comprehensive auto coverage will typically pay to repair your car after a flood.
- Damage to most detached structures including plants, decks, patios, fences and walkways.
- Moving or temporary housing costs.
- Lost income.
Frequently asked questions
How much is flood insurance in Texas?
Flood insurance in Texas costs an average of $66 per month for around $274,000 of coverage from the NFIP. Your quote will depend on several factors, like where you live in Texas, the elevation of your home and the materials it's made of.
Is flood insurance worth it in Texas?
Yes, it's usually a good idea to buy flood insurance in Texas. Large parts of the state are vulnerable to flooding, and a regular homeowners or renters policy won't cover flood damage.
What's the cost of flood insurance in Houston?
Flood insurance costs $821 per year on average in Houston. The amount you pay will depend on factors like your coverage limits, your home's elevation and where in the city you live.
Methodology
Flood insurance rate data came from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Companies selling flood insurance in Texas came from S&P Global.
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