Flood Insurance

Flood damage is not included in renter or homeowner insurance policies.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that just one inch of water in your home can cause $25,000 worth of damage. Are you protected?

Having flood insurance can save you a lot of money. Nationally, the average National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) payout is $66,000. The average FEMA disaster individual assistance award is $3,000. (Note that these are national figures and represent averages from 2016 and 2022. Source: FEMA). 

NFIP provides most flood insurance policies. NFIP is a federal program run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Flood insurance through the NFIP is available for homeowners, renters, and businesses. There are also contents-only policies available for renters under FEMA's NFIP. If you live in a floodplain, you may be required to have flood insurance, but all New Yorkers are eligible for NFIP, no matter what neighborhood you live in.

To learn more about flood insurance, visit FloodHelpNY.org
Check out FloodHelpNY's guide to getting the best insurance policy for you.

You can buy an NFIP policy no matter where you live in NYC. It doesn't matter how many times your home, apartment or business has been flooded. You are still eligible to purchase flood insurance in NYC.

Wherever it can rain, it can flood. Even if you live in an area that is not flood-prone, it's a good idea to have flood insurance.

As climate change brings rising sea levels and more intense storms, areas of NYC that didn't typically flood in the past are now at risk. People outside of high-risk areas file more than 40% of NFIP claims and receive one-third of disaster assistance for flooding.

• Use the NYC Hazard Mitigation Plan's Community Risk Assessment Dashboard to understand your neighborhood's risks from different types of flooding.
• A recent NYS law requires landlords to inform tenants about a home's flood history. Home sellers also have to inform prospective buyers about past flooding. Ask about your home's flood history today.

Flood insurance can include the following coverage:

• Building coverage (available for homeowners)
  • Only includes coverage for your building's structure.
  • Does not include coverage for your belongings, landscaping, or finished basements.
• Contents coverage (available for renters and homeowners)
  • Provides coverage for your belongings.
    • If you’re a renter, flood insurance can offer financial protection in case of a flood.
    • Renters insurance does not cover most flooding damage.
    • The NFIP offers coverage for personal belongings (called Contents Coverage) up to $100,000 for renters.
  • Does not typically provide coverage for belongings in your basement or lowest floor.
• Get a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy quote.

Work with your broker to determine what coverage and how much coverage you should have.

You might also be required to have flood insurance:

• If you live in a flood zone and have a federally backed mortgage
• If you received federal disaster assistance (such as through the Build It Back program) for flood damage

To learn what to do before, during and after a flood, please visit NYC Emergency Management.