Missouri Flood Insurance
Find the right Missouri flood insurance policy for you.
Written by
Christine Lacagnina has written thousands of insurance-based articles for TrustedChoice.com by authoring consumable, understandable content.
The average flood can last for hours or days. But on Missouri’s rivers, flooding can last for months and cause widespread harm to structures and property. Without Missouri flood insurance, it can be difficult to raise the necessary funds to repair or rebuild. Homeowners insurance doesn't cover the damage caused by natural flooding, nor do renters insurance or business insurance policies.
However, you can get affordable quotes for a flood policy to protect your home or business through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer with the help of a Missouri independent insurance agent.
The average cost of flood insurance in Missouri is $1,261 per year. But a Missouri independent insurance agent can easily help you find the most affordable coverage near you. First, though, here's a breakdown of Missouri flood insurance.
Companies that Offer Flood Insurance in Missouri
Missouri residents can get a flood insurance policy in one of two ways: through the NFIP, which is regulated and backed by the federal government but sells its coverage through traditional insurance companies, or through a private flood insurance company.
The NFIP is a part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The NFIP's coverage limits for each section of flood insurance are $250,000 for buildings coverage and $100,000 for personal property coverage.
However, private flood insurance offers much higher limits for both of these types of coverage, along with certain coverages not offered by the NFIP, including loss of use coverage or replacement cost coverage.
Here are some of the best flood insurance companies in Missouri:
- Allstate
- American Family
- Assurant
- Auto-Owners Insurance Company
- Liberty Mutual
- National General Insurance Company
- USAA
- Westfield Insurance Company
A Missouri independent insurance agent can help you find the flood insurance you need through one of these top-rated local carriers.
What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Missouri?
Renters, homeowners, and business owners can all get coverage through the NFIP if your community participates. The NFIP's flood insurance includes two major types of coverage, buildings coverage and contents or personal property coverage.
The NFIP's building coverage is limited to $250,000, and its contents coverage is limited to $100,000. More coverage options can be available from private flood insurance.
A Missouri flood insurance policy covers damage from mudflows, river or creek overflows, excess rain, and snowmelt. The coverage can pay to repair or replace the following, up to a specified limit:
- Structures on your property, such as your house, garage, shed, or place of business
- Flooring
- Curtains and wall treatments
- Fixtures
- Appliances
- Furniture
- Clothing
- Electronics
- Tools and equipment
- Merchandise
A flood policy cannot cover certain items like gold, cash, valuable papers, precious metals, or stock certificates. It also cannot cover your vehicles. However, if you have comprehensive insurance on your car or truck, your auto insurance policy may provide compensation for flood damage.
Early cleanup after a flood disaster is critical because your flood insurance policy won't cover items damaged due to preventable mold or mildew. Debris removal is included in your coverage, but you must be sure to remove any wet drywall and ventilate flooded carpeting before mold has a chance to grow.
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What Does Flood Insurance Not Cover in Missouri?
Missouri flood insurance won't cover every issue after a natural flooding event. For example, any damage caused by mold, mildew, or moisture that the homeowner could've prevented is not covered.
Specific valuable property like valuable papers, precious metals, and currency is also excluded from flood insurance coverage. Further, some types of property located outside the home, like decks or hot tubs, aren't covered by flood insurance, either.
Landscaping, including trees and shrubs, is also excluded from flood coverage. The personal property stored in a home's basement is also excluded by Missouri flood insurance.
Is Flood Insurance Required in Missouri?
If you live in a special flood hazard area (SFHA), you're required to purchase Missouri flood insurance coverage. Any structure in an SFHA zone is at high risk of flood damage.
The coverage may have been bundled with your homeowners or business insurance policy when you purchased the property. If you're unsure of what's included in your coverage, a local Missouri independent insurance agent can help you review your policy to be sure.
If you live in a medium or low-risk flood area, coverage is still highly recommended. Your home or business is at much higher risk of flood than of fire, tornado, or other disaster in these areas. It takes only one inch of water to cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage.
Especially if you own a business, this can be devastating. In fact, 25% of businesses that close due to flood damage never reopen.
Average Cost of Flood Insurance in Missouri
The average cost of flood insurance in Missouri is $1,261 per year, which is quite a bit higher than the current US average of $767 annually. The cost of coverage in Missouri can be more expensive than the national average for several reasons, including the state's overall increased risk of flooding disasters.
However, your specific policy may also be more expensive due to factors like the age of your home (i.e., older homes cost more to replace, so coverage for older homes must be more expensive), your personal claims history, your area's flood risk, the types of coverage you need and the deductible amounts you choose, and more. Getting coverage through the NFIP vs. a private insurer can also be more expensive.
Your coverage can be very inexpensive under certain circumstances, especially if you live in a low-risk area. Some residents get coverage for well below the current state and national average; as little as $287 in Missouri.
The cost can be even lower for renters, who only need to insure the contents of the home. The rates increase as your risk increases, so if you live in a medium or high-risk area, you can expect to pay much more for Missouri flood insurance than someone on the other side of town.
Also, your risk of flood can change over time. New construction and development sometimes alter the local water run-off patterns, which can cause new problems in areas that were previously considered low-risk.
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Average Missouri Flood Insurance Costs by City
The cost of flood insurance in Missouri also varies by city, due to each area's specific flood risk and other factors like property values. The city in Missouri with the cheapest and best flood insurance rates is Harrison County, which offers coverage for only $287 per year. Here are some Missouri counties and the average annual cost of flood insurance in each one.
| Missouri County | Average Annual Cost of Flood Insurance |
|---|---|
| Adams County | $404 |
| Audrain County | $977 |
| Barton County | $968 |
| Boone County | $878 |
| Cedar County | $711 |
| Prescott Valley | $220 |
| Dent County | $843 |
| Greene County | $1,139 |
| Harrison County | $287 |
| Iron County | $1,218 |
| Mississippi County | $664 |
| Newton County | $1,138 |
| Scott County | $558 |
| Texas County | $1,895 |
| Wright County | $684 |
Missouri Flood Insurance FAQs
Flood insurance is not required by state law in Missouri. However, your mortgage agreement may require you to purchase flood insurance, especially if you live in a high-risk flood zone.
Flood Zone A is designated as a special flood hazard area by FEMA. Properties in this zone have only a 1% chance of flooding each year. However, homeowners with properties or business owners with businesses located in Flood Zone A who also have federally-backed mortgages must purchase flood insurance.
You can get Missouri flood insurance by working together with a local independent insurance agent. These agents can help you obtain flood insurance from a local private insurance company. You can also purchase flood insurance through the NFIP if your area participates in the program.
No, home insurance does not cover incidents of natural flooding such as those caused by snowmelt or heavy rainfall. You'd need a separate flood insurance policy to protect your home from such disasters.
The NFIP is a branch of FEMA established to reduce flood-related risk nationwide and prepare communities for disaster. NFIP authorities use flood zone maps and preventive building standards to help residents and business owners reduce the likelihood of damage.
The NFIP also provides flood policies through private insurance companies to help cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding after a storm. Most Missouri communities participate in the program by enforcing safety standards, such as requiring builders to elevate the lowest floor of a structure above the base water level.
However, participation in the NFIP is optional, so coverage may not be available in your neighborhood. A local independent insurance agent can help you find out whether your community participates.
Other forms of disaster aid from FEMA come in the form of government loans, which you must repay. The NFIP is different because it functions as an insurance policy that pays a specified amount for your covered loss. This enables you to get back to normal living quickly, without the burden of additional debt.
How Can I Find Missouri Flood Insurance Coverage?
Flood insurance is helpful no matter where you live, but it's especially vital in a river-bound state like Missouri. You can get a variety of flood insurance quotes from a local Missouri independent insurance agent in the Trusted Choice network. Independent insurance agents can search multiple companies for the best flood insurance quotes and customize a policy for your home or business.
It takes 30 days for a new policy to become active, so don’t wait until the next storm warning. Contact a Missouri independent insurance agent near you today to get the flood coverage you need.
https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/flood/missouri-flood-insurance-costs/#cost-of-flood-insurance-in-mo
https://www.floodhelpny.org/en/small-business
https://pw.lacounty.gov/general/faq/index.cfm?Action=getAnswers&FaqID=JCMtOzxSICAgCg%3D%3D&Theme=&ShowTemplate=#:~:text=Answer%3A,called%20the%20100%2Dyear%20flood.