Massachusetts flood insurance

Do homeowners need flood insurance in Massachusetts?

Flood insurance isn’t a legal requirement, but you may need to carry it if you live in a flood zone and have a mortgage on your home. Most mortgage companies ask homeowners in high-risk flood zones (zones that begin with the letter A or V) to carry a flood insurance policy. If you’re not sure what your flood zone is, you can enter your address in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Flood Zone Mapping Tool. 

Massachusetts is a coastal state, but the threat of flooding still looms large for more inland homeowners. There is a greater than 1 in 4 chance that a Massachusetts home will flood over a 30-year mortgage period. Just because your home hasn’t flooded before doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Flood damage won’t be covered by a home insurance policy. In order to financially protect your finances and home from floodwaters, you will need a flood insurance policy. 

If you’re thinking about buying flood insurance, or even if you already have a policy, it’s important to understand what flood insurance does and doesn’t cover.

What flood insurance covers

Generally, flood insurance covers flood damage to:

• Electrical and plumbing systems
• Some appliances
• Permanently installed carpeting, paneling, cabinets and bookcases
• The structure of your home, including drywall, staircases and foundations
• Detached garages
• Personal belongings (if this coverage is purchased)

What flood insurance doesn’t cover

A flood insurance policy won’t cover everything. Here are some instances not covered by flood insurance:

• Temporary living expenses if your home is unlivable due to a flood
• Property outside of the covered building
• Money, precious metals and other forms or currency
• Vehicles
• Contents kept in a basement
• Personal liability

Cost of flood insurance in Massachusetts

The cost of flood insurance typically depends on various rating factors such as your home’s location, but FEMA reports that the national average rate is $800 per year for a single-family home. The average flood insurance cost in Massachusetts for a single family home is $1,085 as of 2023. The higher the risk of flooding in your area, the more you’re likely to pay for a policy. Below you can see the average cost of a NFIP flood insurance in 10 different towns in Massachusetts.

In high-risk areas, flood insurance can be quite expensive and may be more than the cost of home insurance. Your provider will consider the following when determining your premium:

• Design of your home
• Age of your home
• Location of your home’s utilities
• Coverage amount
• Deductible amount

The building coverage portion of a flood insurance policy covers your foundation, electrical, plumbing, finishings, appliances, electronics, permanent carpet, furnaces, water heaters, permanent cabinetry and more. The contents portion of your policy covers personal belongings, microwaves, carpets, washers, dryers, artwork, other valuables and more. Standard NFIP policies have coverage limits of $250,000 for the structure and $100,000 for the home’s contents.

Note that it may be possible to lower your flood insurance costs by employing certain strategies. FEMA and the NFIP suggest getting an elevation certificate, installing flood openings, filling in basements or relocating to reduce the potential impact of flood-related damage.

When to purchase flood insurance

Massachusetts homeowners insurance laws don’t legally require you to have flood insurance. Still, if you have a mortgage, your lender may require it if your home is in a special flood hazard area close to the water and low in elevation.

Experts recommend purchasing flood insurance as soon as you buy a home in a flood zone. If you’re nervous about an upcoming storm and don’t have flood insurance, you may still be able to purchase it, but keep in mind that there is usually a 30-day waiting period before coverage goes into effect.

Fortunately, there are exceptions where you don’t have to wait the full 30 days.

• If you’re purchasing flood insurance because your area’s flood map has changed and indicated your home is at risk, you have 13 months to buy flood insurance without a 30-day wait period for filing a claim. There is only a one-day wait period instead.
• If you have just purchased, renewed, increased or extended a home loan, you may purchase flood insurance without a 30-day wait period.

How to purchase flood insurance in Massachusetts

The easiest way to purchase flood insurance is to call your homeowners insurance provider and speak with an agent. Some private insurers offer NFIP policies; others may offer their own flood insurance. You can also call the NFIP Help Center at (800) 427-4661.

According to Mass.gov, the official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, there are 15 private insurance companies writing flood insurance as of May 2024. 

Residential flood policies

• Federal Insurance
• Zurich American
• QBE Insurance

Flood coverage via endorsement

• American European Insurance Company 
• American Security Insurance Company 
• Bankers Standard Insurance Company 
• Kingstone Insurance Company 
• Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE)
• Stillwater Property and Casualty Insurance Company 
• The Cincinnati Insurance Company 

Excess coverage

• AIG Casualty Company 
• Berkley Insurance Company 
• Federal Insurance Company 
• Markel American Insurance Company 
• Wright National Flood Insurance Company 

NFIP does not currently offer additional living expenses coverage or loss-of-use coverage with their policies. That means, if you purchase an NFIP policy and floodwaters damage your home, it will be up to you to pay any additional housing and food costs out of pocket. However, FEMA may provide disaster housing in some situations.

Filing a flood insurance claim

While the coverage limits may differ, filing a flood claim with NFIP or through a private carrier is very similar to filing any other type of home insurance claim. Depending on the severity of the flood event, you may be displaced and unable to return to your residence immediately. It is a good idea to have the phone number for the claims department saved in your phone along with a digital copy of your policy declaration page. The steps below outline standard procedures when filing a flood claim:

• Report any loss immediately by calling your insurance agent, filing the claim online or through the carrier's mobile app.
• Document any damage by taking photos before discarding damaged items.
• Minimize the risk of future loss by securing the home — board up any broken windows and tarp your roof if damaged.
• Start the cleaning process as soon as possible to prevent mold from developing.
• Apply for disaster relief immediately. Funds tend to run out quickly and claim payments are usually not processed immediately.
• After meeting with your home insurance adjuster, they will assess the damage, review the claims process and provide you with a repair estimate. Depending on your insurance company, receiving the claim payment can take days to weeks.

If you are unhappy with how the claim is handled, contact your insurance provider to start the appeal process.

Read this FEMA Fact Sheet — Starting Your Recovery — for more detailed information about the claims process for an NFIP policy.

Frequently asked questions