The average cost of flood insurance in Pennsylvania is $1,030 per year when purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). [1] But your own flood insurance rates may be lower or higher than the statewide average depending on your home’s location and risk of being flooded.
While flood insurance isn’t legally required in Pennsylvania, your mortgage lender may require you to purchase a policy if you live in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated special flood hazard area according to the agency’s flood maps. And keep in mind that flood damage is excluded from standard home insurance coverage, so homeowners who don’t purchase flood insurance may be left paying tens of thousands of dollars (or more) out of pocket if their home suffers flood damage.
Regardless of which flood zone you live in, you’ll want to make sure you’re finding the best flood insurance at the most affordable rate. For the best flood insurance policy comparison, consider comparing both NFIP and private flood insurance plans with Policygenius.
To find out if your current or future home is in a high-risk FEMA flood zone and whether you’ll need to purchase flood insurance, consult the agency’s Flood Map Service Center.
Is flood insurance mandatory in Pennsylvania?
While you aren’t legally required to buy flood insurance in Pennsylvania or anywhere else in the country, if your home is one of the approximately 180,884 in a FEMA high-risk flood zone, your mortgage lender may require it as part of your loan agreement.
But even if your lender doesn’t require it, homeowners in flood-prone counties in the southeast, southwest, and northwest parts of the state should consider flood insurance protection. While only around 3% of Pennsylvania homes are located in high-risk areas according to FEMA flood maps, Risk Factor estimates this number to be more like 13%, so your home may face greater risk than you’re even aware of. [2]
Here’s a look at the total number of housing units and the percentage of all homes in high-risk flood zones for each county in Pennsylvania.
What does flood insurance cover in Pennsylvania?
Flood insurance helps cover the cost of flood damage to your home and belongings. That means if your house is damaged due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall, a coastal storm, a lake overflow, or any other sources of natural flooding, flood insurance can pay to repair or replace your property.
A standard flood insurance policy through the NFIP comes with two main coverages that can be purchased together or individually.
Building property coverage: Pays to repair or rebuild your house or garage if they’re damaged in a flood. The maximum building property coverage limit with the NFIP is $250,000, meaning that’s the most the NFIP will reimburse you for repairs, regardless of the damage amount.
Personal property coverage: Pays to repair or replace your belongings if they’re damaged in a flood. This includes your furniture, electronics, clothes, and any other items you own. The maximum personal property coverage limit with the NFIP is $100,000.
Each coverage also comes with its own separate out-of-pocket deductible, which is the amount you’re responsible for paying on each claim. Choosing a higher deductible will lower your flood insurance premium, but it will also reduce your claim payment.
Compare NFIP & private flood insurance in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania homeowners can buy flood insurance in one of two ways: through the NFIP, which is regulated and backed by the federal government and sold by insurance companies, or private flood insurance.
Private flood insurance policies typically come with higher reimbursement limits for your home and personal belongings. Additionally, they often include coverages and perks that aren’t available in the NFIP plan, including loss of use coverage to help cover the cost of lodging or restaurant meals in the event your house is badly damaged and you’re forced to evacuate; or replacement cost coverage for your personal belongings.
Here’s a look at what Pennsylvania residents can expect with NFIP and private flood insurance.
NFIP flood insurance | Private flood insurance | |
Building property coverage | Max of $250,000 | Up to $15,000,000 depending on the company |
Personal property coverage | Max of $100,000 | Up to $1,000,000 depending on the company |
Additional living expenses | Not included | Often included |
Basement contents | Limited to wall fixtures, air conditioners, washer/dryers | Often covered |
Deductible | $1,000 to $10,000 | $1,000 to $50,000 |
Waiting period | 30 days | As little as 0 to 10 days |
Accepted by mortgages | Yes | Yes |
Availability | 56 states and jurisdictions | May be limited in higher-risk areas |
Pennsylvania flood insurance companies
The best way to shop for flood insurance is to compare quotes from both the NFIP and private flood insurance companies. If you have homeowners insurance, then your provider may offer flood insurance via the NFIP or their own standalone flood insurance policy or coverage endorsement.
After analyzing data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, we found at least 12 companies that offer private flood insurance in Pennsylvania. If you’re looking for better coverage or lower rates, consider getting quotes from one of the following companies.
Company | Average annual cost |
Assurant | $701 |
Bankers Insurance | $237 |
Chubb | $1,014 |
National Fire & Marine Insurance | $1,703 |
National General | $945 |
Neptune | $738 |
Palomar | $538 |
The Flood Insurance Agency | $1,350 |
Trisura | $692 |
TypTap | $1,097 |
United Speciality Insurance | $839 |
Wright Flood | $619 |
Our team of licensed insurance agents at Policygenius can help you compare policies and find the best option for you.
