North Carolina Flood Insurance
Find the right flood insurance policy for you.
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She has covered topics as easy as insuring a car, and as difficult as transparency in healthcare costs.
North Carolina is no stranger to flooding. In fact, every single county in the state has had at least two major flood disasters since 1950, either from overwhelmed waterways or hurricane surge. Even so, the vast majority of North Carolina residents have no insurance protection from the financial fallout of a flood. You can protect your home with South Carolina flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program, available through independent insurance agents.
Homeowners policies do not provide coverage for the repairs and rebuilding that are necessary after a flooding disaster. An independent insurance agent in our network can help you find a flood policy that will provide the funds you need when a flood hits. Contact a local agent today to start comparing North Carolina flood insurance quotes for your home.
North Carolina Is Prone to Flood
North Carolina is subject to some of the most extreme flooding conditions in the nation and has become a partner state with the National Flood Insurance Program to develop digital flood map tools and to encourage residents to prepare with North Carolina flood insurance.
- North Carolina residents who carry NFIP coverage have received $751 million in claims since 1978.
- 15 floods since 1989 have been federally-declared disasters.
- Hurricane Floyd flooded 55,000 NC homes, rendering over 15,000 of these homes uninhabitable, and destroying 8,000 houses completely.
- The cost of flooding in North Carolina totaled $6 billion for Hurricane Floyd alone.
If your home is located in a part of the flood plain known as a "special flood hazard area," your chance of flooding is relatively high and you may be required to purchase flood coverage. It only takes a few inches of rain to cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. If your home is outside the special flood hazard area, you are still at risk of flood. In fact, 80 percent of the homes damaged by Hurricane Floyd were outside the SFHA. An independent agent can help you find out about the flood risk in your area, and show you what kinds of North Carolina flood insurance are available to you.
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What Does North Carolina Flood Insurance Cover?
NFIP coverage provides up to $250,000 to repair or rebuild your home or workplace after a flood. This covers:
- Single-family homes
- Condominiums
- Manufactured homes attached to a foundation
- Commercial buildings
Flood insurance covers the structure and foundation of your home or building, and can sometimes also cover your personal possessions. Flood insurance does not cover internal or man-made flooding, such as broken pipes or sewer backups. A local agent can speak with you about your home and its flood risks, and help you find out how much coverage you may need.
Do I Need Flood Insurance?
While your homeowners or business insurance might pay to replace some of your belongings after a flood, it will not pay for structural damage caused by flooding. Many homeowners believe that federal aid programs will cover the cost of rebuilding if they are hit by a flood. But on average, only 50 percent of floods in North Carolina are eligible for federal aid. If you are able to get funding from FEMA, it usually comes in the form of an interest-bearing loan, which tends to be much more expensive than an annual flood insurance policy premium.
If you live in a special flood hazard area, you may be required to purchase flood insurance. If you live outside of a SFHA, you can purchase North Carolina flood insurance at a lower rate. A local agent can look over your county's flood maps with you to help you decide what kind of flood coverage you may need.
How Much Does North Carolina Flood Insurance Cost?
Many insurance carriers work with the National Flood Insurance Program to provide coverage, and the costs are set by the federal program. In NC, the average cost for $100,000 of coverage is $370 per year. However, the price of your flood insurance policy will be determined by many factors, including:
- Your home's position in or near the flood plain
- The age and value of your home
- The amount of coverage you choose
- The elevation of your home, if it is in a special flood hazard area
76 communities in North Carolina qualify for discounts because they use a Community Rating System, and can receive 5 to 25 percent reductions in their NFIP premiums. An independent agent can help you find out how much your coverage costs, and which discounts may be available to you.
Save on Flood Insurance
Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
How Can I Find North Carolina Flood Insurance?
The first step to find the right flood coverage for your home or business is to get in touch with a local, independent agent in our network who can help you compare several North Carolina flood insurance quotes. These agents work with multiple insurance carriers and can find the coverage you need at affordable rates. A member agent can review your risks and look over your home value, location, and other personal factors to give you customized advice.
Contact a local agent today to find the coverage you need and prepare for the next big flood.